Pansies are a hybrid of a variety of wildflowers that are common in areas like Western Asia and Europe. They are a popular ornamental plant in outdoor gardens, but it’s possible to grow them indoors as well. In this article, we’ll look at growing pansies indoors, and give you all the information you need to successfully grow them. They can be a bit tricky, so don’t get discouraged if it takes a while to be successful.
Pansies Quick Overview
- Pansies come in a huge range of colors and varieties. The majority of these have similar if not the same care requirements.
- A cool weather plant, they do best when kept in a cooler room and away from heat.
- Pansies do best in indirect but bright light. Too direct of light can warm them up and fry the flowers.
- Like to be moist but not soaked, use well draining soil and a container with proper drainage.
- Pansies are biennials meaning they live for 2 years. It’s easy to propagate them though, so you can ensure consistent, new growth.
Container
Pansies need good drainage to release excess moisture, so a container with a couple of drainage holes is a must. Other than this, there are no specific container requirements. Terracotta pots are a great option since the porous material absorbs some of that moisture. This further reduces the risk of overwatering.
You can also use plastic containers or galvanized buckets as long as you add drainage holes before planting. For a more appealing look, you can even grow indoor pansies in a colorful bowl or another decorative container.
For pansies planted on their own, a small pot is fine. If you’re planting a few plants in one container, then you do need to keep at least six inches between each plant, so your container needs to be large enough to accommodate this.
Soil
Pansies prefer soil that is well-draining to get rid of excess moisture. It should also be rich in nutrients to ensure that the plant is getting the right food to keep it healthy and happy.
In most cases you can use any standard potting soil designed for container gardens. You can also use a more quickly draining cacti mix, although you’ll need to water a bit more. This does reduce the change of overwatering though; this is usually the biggest cause of failed indoor pansies.
Light
A decent amount of light is a must for pansies to survive. They need at least 6 hours of bright light each day, though they aren’t fond of direct light, especially during the hottest months. Too much direct sunlight can darken the flowers and cause brittle leaves. It can also slow down the development of new blooms, so morning and evening sun is best for these plants.
You can also move the plant away from the window during the afternoon hours or use curtains to reduce the intensity of the sun’s rays. Shoot for indirect but bright light to ensure proper growth without burning out the fragile flowers.
Water
Like all plants, pansies need water to survive, though they don’t like excessive amounts of moisture. When watering, only give them about an inch of water during their growing season and even less during the colder months when the plant goes dormant.
Don’t water them too often, either. Check the soil by inserting the tip of your finger into the soil. If the soil sticks to it, the pansies aren’t ready for more water. If your finger comes out clean, add some water, though only small amounts at a time. Too much moisture could lead to root rot, which can cause severe damage or even death to your pansies.
Temperature
Though pansies grown outdoors can survive during the hot summer months, they prefer cooler temperatures. In fact, these plants thrive in the spring, long before the heat of the summer takes over.
When grown inside, these plants need to be kept at 70 degrees Fahrenheit or cooler for the best results. Temperatures any higher than this and the pansies will start to wilt. Of course, they can’t survive if it is too cold, either, so don’t let the temperature drop below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.