Damon Mcknight
Pansies are a cheerful and fragrant flower that blooms in a wide range of colours and patterns, making them a delightful addition to any garden. They are surprisingly cold-tolerant and can be grown from seeds in most climatic zones. This guide will explore how to grow pansies from seeds in Australia, covering topics such as soil preparation, germination, transplantation, pest control, and the ideal planting season. With the right care and attention, your pansy seeds will flourish into vibrant flowers that brighten your garden.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soil | Well-drained soil enriched with organic matter |
| Sunlight | Full sun to part shade |
| Temperature | Below 65°F (18°C) |
| Watering | Regular watering, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged |
| Fertiliser | Slow-release fertiliser when transplanting, liquid fertiliser while flowering |
| Common pests | Aphids, caterpillars, slugs, snails |
| Containers | Minimum 10 litres, 200mm wide and deep |
| Seeds | Sow 6mm deep |
| Seedlings | Transplant when 5-10cm tall, spacing plants 15-30cm apart |
| Germination | 4-7 days at 17-21°C, cover with cardboard/newspaper |
| Flowering | Approximately 110-120 days after planting |
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What You'll Learn
- Pansies are cool-season flowers, best grown in temperatures below 65°F
- Prepare the soil by weeding, digging it over, and adding animal manure or compost
- Seeds should be sown 6mm deep in trays or containers and covered to limit light exposure
- Germination occurs within 3-7 days at 17-21°C, then move to a bright location
- Transplant seedlings once they are 5-10cm tall, spacing them 15-30cm apart
Pansies are cool-season flowers, best grown in temperatures below 65°F
Pansies are cool-season flowers that thrive in temperatures below 65°F (18°C). They are a great choice for early and late-season containers or garden beds. In the violet family, Violaceae, pansies have almost heart-shaped, overlapping petals in bright colours or bi-colours, often with face-like centre markings. They are hardy annuals, even though they are technically tender perennials grown annually.
Pansies are surprisingly cold-hardy, often surviving temperatures below 10°F (-12°C). They can withstand frost, but will become stressed after repeated freeze-thaw cycles. In freezing weather, protect them by placing pine boughs, straw mulch, or white landscaping fabric on the ground around them. They grow best in temperatures between 40°F to 60°F (4°C to 15°C). In some climates, they act as short-lived perennials or biennials when they reseed, lasting only a few seasons.
Pansies are vigorous, fast-growing flowers that are great for adding colour to your garden or containers. They are also edible, adding a pop of colour to salads, drinks, and cakes. They grow well in full sun or partial shade, but need cooler temperatures to thrive. A spot that receives morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal.
Pansies are best grown in well-drained, humus-rich, slightly acidic soil with a pH of 5.6 to 6.0. The soil should be amended with organic matter such as compost or a 5-10-5 fertiliser before planting. Avoid fertiliser formulations with high levels of nitrogen, as these can lead to soft leaves and rot.
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Prepare the soil by weeding, digging it over, and adding animal manure or compost
Before planting pansies, it is important to prepare the soil. Start by removing any weeds from the area. Dig over the soil to loosen it and ensure it is not compacted. This will help the pansy plants' roots to grow and establish themselves more easily. It will also improve drainage, which is important as pansies prefer well-drained soil.
Once the soil has been dug over, add aged animal manure or compost. This will enrich the soil with organic matter, providing nutrients for the pansies to grow. Manure or compost will also help to improve the structure of the soil, enhancing its ability to retain moisture and drain effectively. Ensure the area remains free of weeds until you are ready to plant your pansies.
If you are planting your pansies in containers, use a good quality potting mix. Choose a container that is large enough for mature plants; a minimum of 10 litres is recommended for pansies. Keep in mind that container-grown plants may need additional fertiliser during the growing season to encourage healthy growth.
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Seeds should be sown 6mm deep in trays or containers and covered to limit light exposure
When growing pansies from seeds, the seeds should be sown 6mm deep in trays or containers. The seeds should then be covered to limit light exposure. This is because pansy seeds need darkness to germinate.
To begin, fill your trays or containers with a good quality seed-raising mix, or use soil starter pellets. You can also use a soil-less compost with extra perlite if you suspect the drainage may be poor. Then, surface sow the pansy seeds into the tray or container, ensuring that the seeds come into good contact with the soil. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of vermiculite. Place the tray or container in a cool location and check for signs of growth every couple of days. You can also place the tray in a black plastic bag that does not allow light to pass.
After sowing, cover the tray or containers with a sheet of newspaper or cardboard to limit light exposure. Water the seeds gently and keep the soil moist throughout the germination period, which typically lasts 3-4 weeks. The ideal germination temperature ranges between 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18-24 degrees Celsius), with the optimal soil temperature for germination being 17-21 degrees Celsius.
Once the seeds have germinated, remove the newspaper or cardboard covering. Move the tray or container to a location with ample light until it is time to transplant the seedlings into the garden.
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Germination occurs within 3-7 days at 17-21°C, then move to a bright location
To germinate pansy seeds, fill trays or pots with a good quality seed-raising mix or soil starter pellets. Sow the seeds around 6mm deep, cover, and firm down. Water the seeds well and keep the soil moist throughout the germination process, but never wet or dry. Aim for a soil temperature of 17-21°C, and germination should occur within 3-7 days.
Once the seeds have germinated, move them to a bright location, still ensuring the soil remains moist. Covering the tray or pots with a sheet of newspaper or cardboard can help limit light to the seeds, as they need darkness to germinate. Remove the cover as soon as the first seeds start to germinate.
Pansies are cool-season flowers that grow best when temperatures are below 65°F (18°C). They prefer a temperate climate with a mild growing environment and full sun or partial shade. When choosing a location for your pansies, ensure they will receive at least 3 hours of full sun each day.
Once the seedlings are around 5-7cm tall, they can be transplanted to the garden. Space the plants at least 20-30cm apart and water them well.
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Transplant seedlings once they are 5-10cm tall, spacing them 15-30cm apart
Once your pansy seedlings have reached 5-10 cm in height, they are ready to be transplanted into your prepared garden bed. Before transplanting, ensure your chosen spot receives full sun to part shade and prepare the planting area by weeding thoroughly, digging over the soil to loosen it, and adding aged animal manure or compost.
When transplanting, space your seedlings 15-30 cm apart and water them well. You can also mulch your seedlings with an organic mulch, such as bark chips, sugar cane, or pea straw. If you are planting your pansies in containers, choose a pot that is at least 200 mm wide and deep and fill it with a quality potting mix.
To promote healthy pansy plants with lots of flowers, feed your seedlings every two weeks with a liquid plant food designed for roses and flowers. You can also apply a slow-release fertiliser at the recommended rate when transplanting or when your seedlings are 5-10 cm tall.
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