Who doesn’t love pansies? These charming little flowers are a favorite of gardeners and non-gardeners alike for their cheerful colors and easy care. Aside from providing your landscape with that bright spot during the cooler months, pansies also make wonderful companion plants.
Choosing companion plants for pansies isn’t hard because they are such versatile little flowers. Before we dig deeper into the best companion plants for pansies, let’s talk about some factors in choosing the right plants.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Pansy Companion Plants
When you are selecting companion plants for pansies, or any other plant for that matter, it is important to consider the growing conditions of each plant. Here are some:
Similar Growing Requirements
Pansies prefer cool temperatures and moist, well-drained soil. Choosing plants that thrive in these conditions will create a harmonious garden that is low maintenance.
Bloom Times
If you want your garden to bloom with vibrance and colors all year round, choose some plants with various bloom times. This will ensure that even when your pansies are not in bloom, there will be other plants to take their place.
Variety
Adding some variety to your garden beds is always a good idea. Variety brings interest and can provide different textures and colors to your landscape.
Choose Smaller Plants
As sun-loving plants, you don’t want your pansies to be out shadowed (literally and figuratively) by taller plants. Choosing smaller plants will help keep your pansies front and center. Although pansies are hardy, they can get pretty overwhelmed by larger plants.
10 Best Companion Plants for Pansies
Pansies are one of the best-loved flowers for their beauty and utility. They are often used as border plants or ground cover, but they can also make an excellent addition to any garden.
While pansies are relatively low-maintenance, they do require some care to thrive. One way to ensure that your pansies stay healthy is to choose the right companion plants. Here are ten of the best companion plants for pansies:
Creeping Phlox
This evergreen ground cover is perfect for hiding the bare stems of pansies in winter. It also blooms in early spring, providing a colorful backdrop for your pansy flowers.
Tulips
Pansies and tulips make a perfect springtime pairing. The cheerful blooms of the pansies complement the tall, stately tulips perfectly. Both plants are relatively easy to care for, making them a low-maintenance option for busy gardeners.
Tulips also provide valuable nutrition for bees, which helps to pollinate the pansies. In addition, the deep roots of the tulips help to loosen compacted soil, making it easier for the pansies to take root and thrive.
Together, these two plants make a beautiful and beneficial addition to any garden.
Snapdragons
Pansies and snapdragons are a match made in springtime. These two flowers are known for their vibrant colors and sweet fragrance, making them a popular choice for gardens and bouquets alike.
But did you know that these two flowers also make excellent companions? Snapdragons provide support for pansies, helping them to stand up straight and avoid being overwhelmed by other plants.
In return, the pansies attract pollinators like bees and butterflies to the snapdragons, allowing them to grow and thrive.
Daffodils
Daffodils are a classic springtime flower, and they make the perfect companion for pansies. These beautiful flowers bloom in various colors, including yellow, white, and orange.
They are also relatively easy to care for, making them a good choice for busy gardeners. Daffodils also help keep pests like slugs and aphids away from your pansies.
In return, the pansies attract pollinators like bees and butterflies to the daffodils, allowing them to grow and thrive.
Primroses
Although both flowers are often seen as separate entities, primrose and pansies can actually make excellent companions. Primrose provides a perfect backdrop for pansies, highlighting their vibrant colors and delicate petals.
In addition, the two plants share many similar growing requirements, such as a preference for cool temperatures and moist soil. As a result, they are often used together in gardens and landscapes.
Whether planted in containers or in the ground, primrose and pansies make a stunning combination that is sure to delight any gardener.
Sweet Alyssums
The sweet alyssum plant is often used as a companion for pansies because of its pleasant aroma and beautiful white flowers. This low-growing annual plays well with other springtime blooms, adding subtlety and elegance to any garden.
Its tiny clusters of flowers are a magnet for bees and other pollinators, making it an essential species for supporting local ecosystems. In the language of flowers, Alyssums symbolize subtle beauty, so they are often given as gifts to friends and loved ones.
Whether planted alone or in a mixed border, these pretty little plants are sure to bring charm and delight to any garden.
Marigolds
The marigold is a striking flower that comes in various colors, including yellow, orange, and red. Marigolds are often used as companion plants for pansies because they share similar growing requirements.
Both flowers prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Marigolds also help deter pests such as rabbits and deer, making them an ideal choice for protecting delicate pansies.
In addition, the colorful blooms of the marigold can brighten up any garden, adding a touch of cheerfulness to any pansy bed.
Petunias
Petunias make an excellent choice for companion plants to pansies for various reasons. Not only do they share a similar color palette, but they also have complementary growing habits. Petunias are trailing plants, which means they will spill over the edges of pots and baskets.
This makes them ideal companions for pansies, which tend to be more compact and mound-shaped. In addition, petunias are known for their long blooming season.
This means that even when pansies are not in bloom, petunias will still add color and interest to the garden.
Coral Bells
These flowers have delicate blooms that add a touch of whimsy to any space, and their compact size makes them ideal for borders and beds.
Coral Bells also come in a variety of colors, from soft pastels to rich jewel tones. When planted next to pansies, they create a beautiful tapestry of color and texture. The two plants also share similar care requirements, so they are easy to maintain.
Asters
With their deep purple blooms, Asters bring out the best in pansies, and the two plants make beautiful companions. Asters bloom in the late summer and fall, which is when most pansies are starting to fade. This makes them an ideal choice for extending the season of your garden.
Pansy companion plants: Final Thoughts
Pansies are versatile flowers that can be used in a variety of ways. They make beautiful companions for other spring flowers.
But they can also stand alone as part of a mixed border or container garden. Asters, Coral Bells, Petunias, Marigolds, and Sweet Alyssums are just a few of the many plants that make great companions for pansies.
Best of all, these plants are easy to care for and will add beauty and a touch of charm to any garden.
Related Article: What to Do With Pansies in The Summer?