How to Grow Penny Black
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Penny Black
Viola tricolor var. hortensis
flowerPenny Black is a striking pansy variety featuring deep purple to nearly black petals with a contrasting bright yellow or white center face, resembling the famous British postage stamp. These cool-season annuals or short-lived perennials produce cheerful blooms from fall through spring in mild climates. They are popular ornamental flowers prized for their unique coloring and ability to brighten gardens during cooler months.
When should you plant Penny Black in your zone?
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Example Penny Black timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Penny Black
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Penny Black blooms
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Penny Black dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-10; performs best as a cool-season annual in zones 3-7, and in fall/winter in warmer zones 8-10
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Get my Penny Black timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny emerged seedlings with first true leaves appearing; very delicate and vulnerable
Maintain high humidity and consistent moisture; provide bright light but not intense direct sun; thin seedlings to prevent damping off
Vegetative
3-4 weeksPlant develops multiple leaf sets and compact bushy growth; no flowers yet; foliage is soft and green
Pinch off growing tips when 2-3 inches tall to encourage branching; fertilize weekly with balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength; ensure good air circulation
Budding
2-3 weeksFlower buds begin forming in leaf axils; buds appear tightly clustered and green
Maintain cool temperatures (60-70°F ideal) to encourage prolific flowering; provide consistent moisture; increase phosphorus fertilizer slightly
Flowering
8-12 weeks or longer in cool climatesDistinctive dark purple-black blooms with bright yellow or white center face open sequentially; plant is full and rounded
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote continuous blooming; avoid overhead watering; fertilize every 2 weeks; monitor for pests and disease
Decline
2-4 weeks before plant senescenceFlowering slows as temperatures warm or plants become stressed; foliage may yellow; overall vigor decreases
In cool climates, may rebloom if deadheaded; in warm regions, this marks end of season; remove and compost spent plants or save seed
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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and
Hand-pick in early morning; use copper barriers or slug traps; encourage natural predators like ground beetles
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Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap; introduce ladybugs; avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer
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Increase humidity; spray with water; use neem oil or miticide if severe; avoid hot, dry conditions
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Hand-pick; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); encourage beneficial wasps
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and
(fungal)
Improve air circulation; water at soil level only; remove affected leaves; apply fungicide if needed; reduce humidity
Uses
Edible Flowers
CulinaryPansy flowers are edible and can be used as decorative garnishes for salads, cakes, and desserts, adding mild floral flavor and vibrant color to culinary presentations. [source]
Traditional Herbal Use
MedicinalHistorically, pansies have been used in folk medicine to make infusions and teas believed to support respiratory health and skin conditions, though scientific evidence is limited. [source]
Ornamental Container Gardens
HouseholdPenny Black pansies are ideal for window boxes, hanging baskets, borders, and container plantings, providing striking visual contrast and season-long color in cool weather. [source]
Pressed Flowers
CraftThe distinctive bicolored blooms of Penny Black are excellent for pressing and drying, perfect for use in crafts, scrapbooking, and creating botanical art. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifePansy flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators during cool seasons when few flowers are available, providing essential nectar and pollen sources. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Pansies are ornamental flowers grown for beauty rather than harvest, but blooms can be cut for small bouquets and arrangements when fully open. Cut in early morning when stems are hydrated. Deadhead spent flowers regularly by pinching or cutting below the flower head to encourage continuous blooming throughout the season. Remove entire flower stem at its base for longer-lasting cut flowers.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Penny Black pansies are named after the world's first adhesive postage stamp issued by Great Britain in 1840, which featured a portrait of Queen Victoria on a black background with a red postal cancel—the flower's dark petals and contrasting center resemble this historic stamp.
- 🌱 Pansies have been cultivated since the 1800s and were developed from wild violets through selective breeding; breeders continue to develop new colors and patterns, with Penny Black being one of the most dramatic and popular varieties.
- 🌱 Unlike true annuals, pansies are technically short-lived perennials that can live 1-2 years in ideal cool conditions, though they are most often grown as cool-season annuals because they decline and flower poorly in summer heat.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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