Co-Authored By:
Most plants in the viola family do best in spring and fall, as they prefer the cool weather. Remember pansies planted in the fall usually bloom off and on all winter, popping up whenever there is a thaw. The root grows strong all winter, hence the plant becomes very vigorous and lush by early spring.
Hereof, how do you keep pansies alive in the winter?
All Dressed Up
- Give them a minimum of four hours of direct sunlight.
- Feed them with a water-soluble, liquid fertilizer every two to three weeks.
- Remove old flowers.
- Water plants prior to a hard freeze. This is especially true for pansies in pots.
- Provide a light pine straw cover to reduce damage during a hard freeze.
Also, what is the best time to plant winter pansies?
Ideally, plant your pansy seeds in borders or pots during September and early October – this will give them a better chance to grow sturdy roots and flowers.
Perennials can grow as hardy biennials or annuals, depending on their location, according to Utah State University Extension. Pansies prefer temperatures during the night just a bit above freezing with 40 degrees considered ideal. During the day, pansies thrive in temperatures in the high 50s and low 60s.