Red pansies, as the name suggests, are bright blooms that are instantly recognizable due to their red color. The term ‘pansy’ is a derivative of the French word ‘pensee,’ which means thought or remembrance. Red pansies were mainly grown in Europe by gardeners who appreciated the adaptable nature of the small charming plants.
Lady Elizabeth of the 19th century first popularized pansies by cultivating all kinds of Viola tricolors she could find in her garden. This led to garden enthusiasts following suit and the pansy quickly became everyone’s favorite.
What Are the Different Types of Red Pansies?
Red pansies can be a variety in many types of pansies. Here's a quick illustrated review of the most popular ones.
Delta
A favorite among gardeners, the delta is available in a variety of colors, including red. It is a very durable plant that can withstand harsh conditions.
Elite Scarlet Shade
This pansy has large petals and short stems. It blooms earlier than other pansies. The red flowers have subtle black veins that become visible when you take a closer look. They are highly resistant to stretching and maintain their shape throughout the season, including cold and hot weather, and even when the sunlight is limited.
Matrix Red Blotch Pansy
This variety is relatively easy to care for. It is recognizable due to the darker patch towards the center. This red pansy can grow to more than 8 inches tall.
Caring for Red Pansies
Red pansies prefer lots of sunlight, at least 6 hours every day. They prefer to grow in moist, rich, and well-drained soil with high organic matter. Make sure to add composted manure, chopped leaves, or peat to make your soil more compatible. The ideal pH value for the soil should be between 5.5 and 6.0 in full sun.
Temperature: The ideal temperature range for red pansies is between 40 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. They can survive frosts and will still bloom, provided the temperature is above freezing. Although temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit will result in poor growth and the pansy might even cease to bloom.
Fertilizer: Use a general purpose granular fertilizer with ratios such as 10-10-10 and 5-10-5, at the rate of 1 tbsp of fertilizer per square foot of planting area. Feed your pansies every four weeks throughout the growing season. Avoid scorching the pansies with the fertilizer, try applying dry fertilizer directly into the soil.
If you expect a sudden frost, you can cover the red pansies in blankets or old sheets for a few hours until the frost is gone. Use rocks and other heavy items to anchor the edges of the cover to prevent it from blowing away due to the wind. If you have individual plants, you can use empty containers or old boxes to prevent them from freezing. Make sure to remove the cover under the sun to prevent overheating.
Where Can You Get Red Pansies?
Amazon
With so many products in stock, you will easily find many varieties of seeds for red pansies on Amazon. Prices tend to be low.
Click here to buy red pansies on Amazon.
Burpee
Burpee should be your go-to place for red pansies and anything related to gardening in general. They ship everywhere in the US, and at very economical rates. They have 11 pansy varieties for sale, including at least 3 for red pansies. If you visit their website now, you could get a few discounts.
Click here to visit their website.
Home Depot
Home Depot has a section for garden enthusiasts with lots of seeds and bulbs to choose from, including red pansies. The e-commerce giant is always offering a discount every now and then, so make sure you keep an out for one.
Click here to visit their website.
Red Pansy Seeds on Amazon
Red Pansy Seeds by Outsidepride
You can buy standard red pansy seeds that will bloom into giant flowers provided all the conditions are just right.
Click here to buy these on Amazon.
Photo Gallery
Red Blotched Pansies
Red blotched pansies tend to have darker regions towards the center. Their long petals stretch to absorb as much of the sun’s energy as possible.
Bright Yellow Center
One noticeable feature is the deep yellow center which stands out among the red hues. In some varieties, the yellow center might extend into the petals as well.
Dark Veins Provide Contrast
The black veins are clearly visible due to the comparatively lighter yellow hues which go beyond the center into the petals.
Multi-Hued Blossoms
Red pansies crisscross between violet and pink to create a symphony of extreme colors.
Plant in Bunches for Maximum Effect
A single red pansy won’t attract much attention. A good idea instead is to plant them in groups for maximum impact.
Vibrant Pinks and Reds
Bits of red and pink offer tremendous variety, especially when you take into account the rich green hues of the plant.
Rich Burgandy Red
This picture is dramatized with water droplets to create more emphasis on the rich red of the pansy.
Delicate and Delightful
A single red pansy sits against an isolated background. Lighter pink color populates much of the flower, with the center maintaining prominent yellow hues.
Translucent Glory
All red pansies tend to have dark veins which become more visible when light is directly shone on them.