Here are the main care requirements for growing pansies:
- Plant in partial shade and rich soil to give them the best chance at thriving.
- Shear the plants back when they start to set seed to encourage new growth.
- Water regularly but not to the point of oversaturating the soil.
- Feed monthly with a balanced fertilizer.
- Allow your pansy plants to remain in your garden and rest during the hottest months. They will probably begin blooming again in the fall.
Pansies will bloom best in full sun to partial shade, but they will stay fresh-looking and keep blooming longer if grown in partial shade.
Although pansies are not fussy plants, they will grow best in loose, rich soil with a slightly acidic pH (6.0 to 6.2). They are heavy feeders, so amend your soil with mushroom compost to give them a good start.
Regular watering will help them hang on a bit longer as weather warms, but don’t expect your pansies to last all season. Pansies prefer moist—but not soggy—soil. Use containers with drainage holes or if planting in the ground, make certain the soil drains well.