Pansy
Viola x wittrockiana
Cheerful, cold-tolerant flowers with characteristic face-like markings. Edible blooms add color to salads and desserts.
Overview
Companion Planting
Lettuce
SpinachToxicity
Pansies are non-toxic to humans, dogs, and cats; the flowers are edible and commonly used as garnishes.
Planting Tips
1 cm of water per m² equals 10 liters. Use the Watering Calculator for exact amounts.
Care Tip: Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage continuous flowering and prevent leggy growth.
Common Pests
Aphids
Symptoms: Curled, sticky leaves and distorted new growth; honeydew residue may attract sooty mold.
Treatment: Spray with insecticidal soap or a strong jet of water to dislodge; apply neem oil for persistent infestations.
Prevention: Encourage natural predators like ladybugs; avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization.
Slugs and Snails
Symptoms: Irregular holes in leaves and petals, often with slime trails visible on and around plants.
Treatment: Hand-pick at dusk or use iron-phosphate-based slug pellets around affected plants.
Prevention: Remove garden debris, use copper tape barriers, and avoid overhead watering in the evening.
Spider Mites
Symptoms: Fine stippling on leaves, yellowing foliage, and tiny webs on the undersides of leaves.
Treatment: Spray with miticide or neem oil; increase humidity around plants to discourage mites.
Prevention: Keep plants well-watered and avoid drought stress; regularly inspect undersides of leaves.
Common Diseases
Powdery Mildew
Symptoms: White, powdery coating on leaves and stems, leading to yellowing and leaf drop.
Treatment: Apply a fungicide containing sulfur or potassium bicarbonate; remove and destroy affected foliage.
Prevention: Ensure good air circulation, avoid overhead watering, and do not overcrowd plants.
Crown Rot (Phytophthora)
Symptoms: Wilting despite moist soil, dark discoloration at the base of stems, and plant collapse.
Treatment: Remove and destroy infected plants; apply a phosphonate-based fungicide to surrounding plants.
Prevention: Plant in well-drained soil, avoid waterlogging, and practice crop rotation.
Downy Mildew (Peronospora)
Symptoms: Yellow or pale patches on upper leaf surfaces with grayish-purple fuzzy growth on undersides.
Treatment: Remove infected leaves promptly; apply a copper-based fungicide if disease is widespread.
Prevention: Space plants for airflow, water at soil level, and avoid working with plants when foliage is wet.