Colossus

Family: Violaceae Flower

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Colossus to a garden.

Imagine velvety petals unfurling in a grand, colossus-sized bloom—rich, velour-like color with a crisp, luminous center that seems to glow from within.

Colossus pansies bring a plush, slightly ruffled texture and a bold, face-forward patterning that makes every bed and container look richly dressed. Grow for standout seasonal color in cool weather, with flowers ideal for long-lasting garden display and striking mass plantings.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Rosette

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Colossus Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Apr 6th	Jun 15th	Aug 24th – Jul 15th
Zone 1b	Mar 23rd	Jun 1st	Aug 10th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Mar 16th	May 25th	Aug 3rd – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 6th	May 15th	Jul 24th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 6th	May 15th	Jul 24th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 10th	May 19th	Jul 28th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 6th	May 15th	Jul 24th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 4th	May 13th	Jul 22nd – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Feb 27th	May 8th	Jul 17th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Feb 23rd	May 4th	Jul 13th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Feb 20th	May 1st	Jul 10th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Feb 14th	Apr 25th	Jul 4th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Feb 9th	Apr 20th	Jun 29th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Jan 30th	Apr 10th	Jun 19th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Jan 21st	Apr 1st	Jun 10th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Jan 12th	Mar 23rd	Jun 1st – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Dec 26th	Mar 6th	May 15th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 1st	Feb 9th	Apr 20th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

With plush, velour petals and a crisp, bright center, Colossus pansies are best used like a delicate garnish: bloom first, flavor second. Keep heat contact short and pair with citrus, dairy, or honey so the floral sweetness reads clean instead of perfumey.

Best Uses

as an edible garnish on chilled dishes where the petals stay intact
scattering over fresh citrus salads and crème fraîche–based bites
folding into warm-but-not-boiling finishing oil or butter (brief contact only)
floating on top of cocktails and spritz-style drinks for color and aroma

Flavor Profile

gentle floral sweetness subtly grassy/green-leaning finish velvety, lightly ruffled chew crisp luminous center with a clean snap

Kitchen Pairings

lemon honey crème fraîche plain yogurt basil dark chocolate

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common pest or disease issue for Viola × wittrockiana (pansy) and how do I treat it?

Pansies (Viola × wittrockiana) commonly develop powdery mildew and leaf spots during cool, humid stretches. Remove badly spotted leaves, improve airflow around plants, and water at the soil line in the morning. If it keeps spreading, switch to a targeted fungicide labeled for pansies/ornamentals and follow the label schedule to prevent reinfection.

How often should I water Viola × wittrockiana during the main growing phase?

Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy from transplanting through flowering—aim for damp, not wet, soil. In part-sun beds, water when the top 1 inch feels dry, typically about 2–3 times per week depending on heat and rainfall. Avoid letting plants sit in standing water, which quickly leads to root issues and collapse.

How can I tell when Viola × wittrockiana is ready to harvest?

Pansy “harvest” is usually for blooms: you’re ready when flowers are fully colored and open across most of the face with firm petals. Deadhead spent flowers promptly to encourage continued flowering rather than waiting for seed set. If you’re harvesting for cut flowers, pick early in the day when the petals are crisp and before heat wilts them (around the ~70-day mark, depending on your sowing date).