Garden pansy Viola x wittrockiana
Garden pansy (Viola x wittrockiana) is an annual flowering plant in the Violaceae family, native to Garden hybrid (Viola tricolor x V. lutea x V. altaica). It grows 15–25 cm (6–10 in) tall and 20–30 cm (8–12 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -12 °C (10 °F). Space plants about 20 cm (8 in) apart.
Plan Garden pansy in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Garden pansy at a glance
| Type | Annual flowering plant |
|---|---|
| Family | Violaceae |
| Mature height | 15–25 cm (6–10 in) |
| Mature spread | 20–30 cm (8–12 in) |
| Spacing | 20 cm (8 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.4–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -12 °C (10 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 26 °C (79 °F) |
| Flowering | about 4–10 weeks after planting, for 13–21 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 90 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: flowers |
| Native to | Garden hybrid (Viola tricolor x V. lutea x V. altaica) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇯🇵 Japan |
Is Garden pansy toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not listed as toxic by ASPCA; the flowers are used as an edible garnish.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Garden pansy
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
See Garden pansy in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (12 plants)
- Monet’s gardens at Giverny (70 plants)
Questions about Garden pansy
- How far apart should I plant Garden pansy?
- About 20 cm (8 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–30 cm (8–12 in).
- Does Garden pansy need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Garden pansy need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Garden pansy?
- It tolerates about -12 °C (10 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Garden pansy flower?
- About 4–10 weeks after planting, for 13–21 weeks.
- Is Garden pansy poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not listed as toxic by ASPCA; the flowers are used as an edible garnish.
- What grows well with Garden pansy?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Garden pansy. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Short-lived perennial or biennial grown as a cool-season annual; flowering fades in summer heat, so it is planted in autumn or early spring.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Sweet violet Viola odorata
- Native violet (ivy-leaved violet) Viola hederacea
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea