Annual Flower

When to Plant Pansies

Cold-hardy flowers with cheerful 'faces' that bloom in cool weather when little else does. Perfect for fall and early spring color.

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

Water

1 inch per week

Days to Harvest

60-80

Difficulty

beginner

Spacing

Frost Tolerance

high

The Short Answer

Pansies are planted in fall, 8 weeks before your first frost date. They need winter cold to trigger their spring bloom. Enter your zip code on our homepage tool for exact dates.

How to Grow Pansies

Pansies are the cool-season champions — they bloom in temperatures that send most flowers into dormancy. In zones 7+, plant in fall for winter-through-spring bloom; in cold zones, plant in early spring for color before summer annuals can be set out. The 'faces' on pansy flowers aren't just cute — they serve as nectar guides for pollinators. Pansies fade and stop blooming when temperatures consistently exceed 80°F. Pull and replace with warm-season annuals when this happens. Violas are smaller-flowered relatives that are even more cold-hardy and often perennial.

Starting Seeds Indoors

Begin pansies seeds indoors 8 weeks before your average last frost date. Seeds need soil temperatures of at least 45°F to germinate, which typically takes 10-14 days. Provide 12 hours of light per day using a south-facing window or grow lights.

Transplanting

Move seedlings outside 4 weeks before your last frost date, once soil temperatures reach 45°F. Harden off seedlings for 5 days before transplanting by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions.

Fall Planting

Pansies are planted in fall, 8 weeks before your average first frost date. Plant 0.125" deep, 8" apart.

Growing Tips

Plant in fall in zones 7+ for winter bloom. In cold zones, plant in early spring for blooms before summer heat. They fade in hot weather — pull and replace with warm-season annuals.

Companion Planting

Good companions:

Violas Snapdragons

Pansies Planting Dates by State

Click your state for pansies planting dates specific to your location:

Note: Planting dates are based on average frost dates from NOAA Climate Normals (30-year averages). Actual conditions vary year to year. Always check your local forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026