Will Pansies Survive in Pots?
Pansies are a popular flower choice for gardeners, especially those with limited outdoor space or those wanting to add a splash of colour to their patio or balcony. But can pansies survive when grown in pots? In this article, we discuss the benefits and potential challenges of growing pansies in containers and provide some tips for successful container gardening with pansies.
Overview of Pansies
Pansies (Viola tricolor) are part of the Violaceae family, which includes over 500 species of flowering plants known as violets, hearts-ease, and johnny-jump-ups. These flowers come in a wide range of colours, from soft pastels to bold primary hues, and have attractive faces or “blotches” on their petals that resemble faces or eyes. They are generally easy to grow and require minimal care once established.
Benefits of Growing Pansies in Containers
Gardening with pansies has many advantages when done in containers—perhaps the most obvious being that it allows you to bring colour and beauty to small spaces where planting beds wouldn’t be practical or possible—such as balconies, patios, decks, window boxes, roof gardens, etc.—whereas container gardening with pansies also offers these added benefits:
- Easier access for watering and fertilizing
- Greater control over soil quality and drainage
- More flexibility if you need to move them around
- Fewer weeds
- Protection from soil pests like nematodes
- Ability to create multiple microclimates by moving plants indoors during cold weather or into shade during hot spells
- Easier plant maintenance: no need for tilling or digging up soil
- Allows you to grow multiple varieties together (e.g., early flowering varieties alongside late-flowering ones)
- Can be used as an attractive edging along pathways and walkways.
Choosing the Right Container
When choosing a container for your pansy garden, it’s important to select one that is large enough for proper root development yet small enough to be moved when necessary (12 inches or less is ideal).
The container should also have good drainage holes at the bottom, if it doesn’t have any pre-drilled holes then you can easily drill some yourself using a masonry bit (or you could simply line the bottom of your pot with stones).
Additionally, if you plan on moving your container garden around often then choose one made from lightweight materials like plastic or fibreglass so that it won’t be too heavy when filled with soil and plants.
Preparing the Soil for a Pansy Container Garden
For optimal growth, it’s essential that your pansy container garden has nutrient-rich soil specifically designed for containers—such as standard potting soil mixes available at most garden centres—which will help ensure adequate drainage while still retaining moisture needed by your plants’ roots.
If you want an extra boost of nutrients then mix in some compost or slow release fertiliser prior to planting, however this is not necessary unless you feel your soil is particularly lacking in nutrients or drainage capabilities.
Planting Pansies in ContainersWhen planting your pansy seeds/seedlings into containers it’s important not to overcrowd them, give each plant enough space so that its roots have room to spread out properly (about 6 inches between plants should suffice).
After planting your seeds/seedlings water thoroughly so that the soil is evenly moist but not soggy, during periods of prolonged drought additional watering may be necessary but avoid overwatering as this can lead to root rot and other diseases which can kill off entire sections of your garden quickly!
Once established your pansy plants should start blooming within 6 weeks—just make sure they receive at least 5 hours of direct sunlight per day during this time!
Caring for a Container Garden of Pansies
Caring for a container garden full of pansy plants is fairly easy once they’re established, simply water them regularly (but don’t overwater) and provide them with 5 hours of direct sunlight each day (more is better!).
Additionally, you may want to fertilise your pansy pots every 4 weeks with an all-purpose liquid fertilizer such as fish emulsion, this will help ensure healthy growth and vibrant blooming throughout their growing season!
Just make sure not to fertilise too heavily as too much fertilizer can burn the roots causing stunted growth! Finally deadheading—removing spent blooms—will help encourage new blooms throughout summertime!
When And How To Move Pansies In Containers?
Pansy plants grown in containers are very mobile, they can easily be moved around if needed either due to changes in climate/weather conditions or just because they need more/less light etc. However when moving potted pansy plants always remember: move slowly!
Sudden jerky movements can cause roots distress leading stunted growth so always take care when moving them around—and never forget it may take several days after moving before they start blooming again!
Common Problems With Growing Pansies In Containers?
The most common problems associated with growing potted pansy plants include overwatering (leading to root rot), undernourishment due lack of nutrients/fertilizer, pests such as aphids (which feed on their leaves) and fungus gnats (which feed on decaying matter). Fortunately all these problems are easily avoidable by following our tips above!
