Jolly Joker

Pansy

Zone 13a Save Garden

🌱 70d to harvest Rosette

Velvety petals in a jubilant mix of velour-dark centers and bright, candy-bright faces open like tiny portraits, filling the gard…

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Oct 23rd
Last Frost	Jan 1st
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Dec 25th
Harvest Begins	Mar 5th
Harvest Ends	—

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	65
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	5

Recommended Companions

Rosaine Lettuce

Rudolf Radish

Watermelon Radish Radish

Muir Lettuce

Buttercrisp Lettuce

Crisp Mint Lettuce

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Viola × wittrockiana (pansy), and how can I treat it?

The most frequent problem is aphids, which can cluster on new growth and cause distorted leaves; control them by blasting plants with water and then applying an insecticidal soap or neem as directed on the label. In humid weather, pansies also commonly get gray mold (Botrytis); remove affected leaves promptly and improve airflow (avoid crowding) while watering at soil level rather than overhead.

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

During active growth and bloom (roughly from transplanting through the period leading to the ~70-day maturity window), keep the soil consistently evenly moist but not soggy. Water when the top 1 inch of soil starts to dry, aiming for thorough soaking that reaches the root zone, then let excess water drain—pansies decline in waterlogged soil.

How do I know when Viola × wittrockiana is ready to harvest?

For pansy (Viola × wittrockiana) grown for flowers, harvest when individual blooms are fully open and the petals show their full color and pattern. If you’re growing toward the 70-day mark from sowing, start harvesting the first fully opened flowers then; continue picking every few days to encourage more bloom.

Velvety petals in a jubilant mix of velour-dark centers and bright, candy-bright faces open like tiny portraits, filling the garden with cool-season color. Jolly Joker pansies bloom with a plush, slightly ruffled texture and a velvety look that reads beautifully in beds, borders, and containers. Expect dependable spring-to-early-summer performance—ideal for showy massing, edging, and long-lasting ornamental color.

Sowing Tips

Transplant Conditions

Wait until soil reaches 40°F and nights stay above 28°F before moving outdoors. Harden off for 5 days first.

Expert Note

For the strongest early-spring blooms, keep seedlings cool and transplant into moist, well-drained soil as soon as it’s workable and nights aren’t consistently below freezing.