With the lack of plant growth and color, wintertime can sometimes have a dismal effect on our yards and gardens. Even though the season of brightly lit evergreens and greenery is right around the corner, our flower beds, pots, and yards tend to take a backseat this time of year to festive decor. Despite the cooler temperatures, however, there are easy ways to add colorful plants during winter. Winter pansies are one of my favorite plants to grow during this time of year. When cooler temperatures arrive, they’re a staple for my pots. They’re also one of the easiest flowers to grow and maintain, and they are vibrant when most everything else is colorless during the winter.
“Once the cold sets in, they will provide blooms until spring as long as you keep them deadheaded,” says Alex Williams, General Manager of Collier’s Nursery in Birmingham, Alabama.
If pansies provide color all winter long and require little maintenance, that’s a win in my gardening book. Here’s how easy these flowers are to grow, plus tips for keeping them healthy during winter.
When To Plant
Pansies can be planted as soon as the fall nights start turning cooler and the sun is not so hot during the day. But if your fall weather still feels like sweltering summertime, it’s best to hold off planting until the weather is cooler. “The main issue we run into with pansies in the Deep South is our heat!” explains Williams. He adds that usually, mid-October is a good time to plant them. However, with the warmer weather this fall, waiting a bit later to plant them ensures better establishment.
How To Maintain
There is very little maintenance pertaining to pansies, which is why they are an ideal choice as a plant and for color during the wintertime. There are some simple steps, though, that you can take to ensure they thrive. “It is always important to use a well-drained soil mix when planting,” explains Williams. If the soil in your pots seems to have shrunk, it might be time to add more or freshen up the soil. Since the soil will provide nutrients to the plant throughout its life, it’s essential to be sure the potting mix is as fresh as possible. Additionally, if the plant grows well but becomes overgrown, consider cutting it back. “If a plant is leggy and looking tired, cutting it back by ⅔ will encourage new growth and blooms,” he says.
How To Water
Watering, as is the case for most plants, can affect how well or not pansies flourish. “When temps are warmer, and the pansies are first planted, then you should water more (2-3x week), but once things cool down and we get consistent rain, they should be self-sufficient,” says Williams. Pansies planted in the ground need less frequent watering since the surrounding ground holds the water better than a pot. Of course, if you are planting pansies in a pot, then you will have to check and, most likely, water more often. However, if it’s a wet winter, you want to avoid overwatering, which can cause bacteria or fungus growth.
Sun Or Shade?
Although pansies thrive in cooler temperatures, they also need some sun throughout the day. It’s best if they receive at least six hours of sunlight each day. Less sun may affect the frequency of blooms. “If your pot is in full shade, then it would be best to look at colorful foliage options like dusty miller, cordyline, heuchera, evergreen ferns, and shade shrubs,” says Williams.
How To Fertilize
When first planting pansies, Williams encourages the use of fertilizer. “I use Osmocote fertilizer or Start & Grow at the time of planting, and then a water-soluble bloom booster as needed throughout the season,” he says.
How To Protect
Even in the South in the wintertime, temperatures can dip too low for pansies to survive the cold. It’s important to protect them if you know that bitter cold is coming. “Protect from single-digit temps with a frost cloth or a drop cloth, not a plastic tarp,” says Williams.
