Pansies add a welcome splash of color in the fall and early spring seasons. The good news is that you can grow pansies in Michigan with very little attention required.
These plants are likely to survive winters and frost in the state and bounce back with more blooms than ever when the ground warms up a bit.
When to Plant Pansies in Michigan?
Generally speaking, the best time to plant pansies in Michigan is when the threat of frost has passed and the soil can be tilled. Specifically, you can start planting pansies in early spring or somewhere around mid-April.
A common practice among Michigan gardeners is starting the seeds earlier indoors and transplanting them outside once the plants could withstand the temperatures.
However, if you don’t wish to go through some extra steps then you can just wait until the earth has significantly thawed to begin planting pansies.
The best planting site for pansies is where they can get morning sun and shade in the afternoon. Pick a spot that also has well-draining soil, or work some amendments first such as sand or organic matter to allow the plant and its roots to breathe.
Space pansies about 4 to 6 inches apart for mass plantings, border edging, and general garden use. Pansies do well in containers but you may have to bring them indoors before the first frost hits (overwintering).
One rule to follow when growing pansies in Michigan is not to let the soil completely dry out. Whenever you see the top inch or two of your pansy’s soil appear dry, go ahead and give it a good drink. You may add a layer of mulch to preserve soil moisture but it’s not required.
The 5 Best Pansy Varieties to Grow in Michigan
Etain Pansy
Etain pansies have eye-catching yellow blooms with purple edges atop tall stems and evergreen leaves. The herbaceous perennial is hardy in zone 4 and grows quite quickly when exposed to its ideal environment. Etain only grows up to 4 inches tall and has a spread of six inches.
Icicle Pansy
A curious pansy species that blooms in November and March, Icicle Pansies are beginner-friendly and definitely a worthy addition to a Michigan garden.
The plant grows well in full sunlight and when you irrigate them regularly. Icicle pansies grow up to around 8 inches tall and are averse to strong winds and road salt.
Johnny-Jump-Up
A very popular pansy variety with blooms ranging from yellow to purple and white, Johnny Jump Up is hardy and can tolerate a lot of soil and environmental conditions.
Some have reported this plant growing in driveway cracks and gravel, which shows you how tenacious they are. Johnny Jump Ups have smaller flowers but these plants more than makeup for it in numbers.
Watercolor Pansies
The ‘watercolor’ series features pansy varieties sporting different pastel-colored blooms. You can choose the one you want in your garden and care for it the same way you would other pansies- with a generous amount of bright light and plenty of water to keep it flowering for months. The plant has a bigger bloom size (at 3 inches) and will certainly catch the eye of visitors and passers-by.
Joker Pansies
‘Joker’ pansies have distinct bi-color or multicolor flowers with face markings that are true to their name. Like the watercolor series you can pick the species you want depending on the shades you want come spring or fall.
Plant the Joker pansy in the right location and give it plenty of water, then sit back and expect 8-inch spreads full of 2 to 3-inch blooms decorating your landscape.
Related Article: Can I Plant Pansies in the Fall?