Do Pansies Need to Be Dead-Headed?

Pansy seeds develop in pods at the base of wilted blooms.

Pansies may look dainty, but the flowers are sturdy enough to survive surprisingly chilly temperatures. In temperate, warmer climates, pansies bloom all winter, and in cooler, northern climates, the plants produce flowers all summer long. In climates colder than U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zone 4 or hotter than zone 8, pansies are often grown as annuals. No matter where you live, pansies benefit from removing wilted blooms -- also known as deadheading -- throughout the blooming season.

Purpose of Deadheading

When a wilted pansy is allowed to remain on the plant, the spent bloom signals that bloom time is drawing to a close -- and that it's time to divert its energy stores into producing seeds. Soon, blooming decreases and the plant weakens. Deadheading, or removing the wilted blooms, tricks the pansy into using its energy to produce more flowers. As a result, the pansy will flower for several more weeks.

When to Deadhead

Deadhead pansies as soon as the flowers begin to wither and fade. Don't wait until the bloom is completely wilted, as the plant begins to produce seeds before that time. If you live in a temperate climate and you want your pansies to go to seed, leave a few flowers on the plant at the end of summer.

How to Deadhead

To deadhead pansies, use your fingernails to pinch the wilted bloom and the stem down to the next attached stem, leaf or bud. Alternatively, deadhead your pansies with a pair of garden shears. Place the wilted pansies in your compost pile or discard them in the garbage can. Don't drop the spent blooms on the ground, as plant debris may attract slugs that will dine on your pansies.

General Pansy Care

Pansies thrive with at least six hours of sunlight per day. Incorporate a general purpose, slow-release fertilizer into the soil at planting time. Use the fertilizer at a rate of 1 cup for each 50 square feet of flowerbed. Pansies benefit from watering twice weekly during warm weather, or whenever the top inch of soil feels dry. Apply 2 inches of mulch around the pansies to conserve water and keep the soil cool. Water your pansies deeply before the first hard freeze, and keep a protective layer of mulch in place throughout the winter.

References

• University of Missouri Extension; Removing Spent Flowers/Deadheading; Dennis Patton
• Texas A&M University Extension; Colorful Pansies: Plant Them Now!" David Rodriguez
• North Carolina State University Extension; Deadheading; Carol Weaver; August 29, 2005
• Texas Tech University Department of Plant and Soil Science; Common Name: Pansy