How to Grow Penny Red
Wikimedia Commons
Penny Red
Viola tricolor var. hortensis
flowerPenny Red is a charming pansy variety with deep red to burgundy petals, often featuring darker markings or a contrasting eye. These compact, mounding plants produce prolific blooms throughout the growing season, making them excellent for borders, containers, and mass plantings. They are cold-hardy and reliable performers in cool-season gardens.
When should you plant Penny Red in your zone?
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Example Penny Red timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Penny Red
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 Red blooms
Around Jun 6≈ 50 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Penny Red dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-10, with best performance in cooler zones (3-7)
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Get my Penny Red timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny plants with first true leaves emerging; delicate appearance with thin stems
Keep soil moist, provide bright indirect light, maintain 65-70°F for best germination. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once established.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksBushy, compact mounding plant with dark green foliage; no flowers yet
Pinch back growing tips to encourage branching and bushier form. Maintain consistent moisture and cool temperatures. Begin light fertilizing.
Bud Formation
2-3 weeksFlower buds beginning to form at branch tips; plant becoming fuller with green buds visible
Continue regular watering and fertilizing every 2-3 weeks with balanced or slightly phosphorus-rich fertilizer. Maintain cool temperatures to promote buds.
Flowering
8-16 weeks or until frostDeep red to burgundy blooms opening continuously; may have darker face markings or contrasting eye
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming. Maintain consistent moisture without overwatering. Reduce fertility to avoid excessive foliage.
Decline/Frost Tolerance
Varies by climateFlowers may slow in extreme heat or continue blooming well into fall; plants remain hardy to frost
In hot climates, provide afternoon shade. In cooler zones, plants often rebloom in spring. Remove severely damaged foliage after frost.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Remove by hand at night, use beer traps, apply diatomaceous earth, or introduce natural predators
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Spray with strong water stream, use insecticidal soap, or release ladybugs
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Increase humidity, spray with water, apply neem oil or miticide if severe
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Improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, apply sulfur or fungicide, remove affected leaves
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Remove infected parts, improve drainage and air flow, reduce watering, apply fungicide if needed
Uses
Cut Flowers & Floral Arrangements
HouseholdPenny Red pansies make excellent cut flowers with their deep crimson color adding visual interest to fresh arrangements. The blooms last 5-7 days in water and pair beautifully with complementary colors and textures. [source]
Edible Flower Garnish
CulinaryPansy flowers are edible and safe for consumption, with a slightly sweet, mild flavor. They make attractive garnishes for salads, desserts, and beverages, adding color and delicate beauty to dishes. [source]
Garden Design & Landscaping
HouseholdTheir compact mounding habit and prolific deep red blooms make Penny Reds ideal for border edging, mass plantings, container gardens, and hanging baskets. They provide continuous seasonal color in cool climates. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifePansies attract bees and other beneficial pollinators to gardens, supporting local pollinator populations during cool seasons when other flowers may be scarce. [source]
Flower Pressing & Crafts
CraftThe delicate petals of Penny Red pansies press beautifully and can be used in pressed flower crafts, bookmarks, framed botanical art, and decorative home projects. [source]
Harvest Tips
Penny Reds are ornamental flowers, not harvested for food. Cut blooms for indoor arrangements in early morning after dew dries. Deadhead spent flowers regularly by pinching off below the bloom to encourage more flowering. This extends the blooming season significantly.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Pansies are actually a hybrid derived from wild violets and were first bred intentionally in the 1820s, with varieties like Penny Red representing over 200 years of selective breeding for color and form.
- 🌱 The distinctive 'face' or markings on pansy petals serve to guide pollinators toward the flower's center, acting as a visual pathway to nectar and pollen.
- 🌱 Penny Red and other pansy varieties can tolerate significant frost and often rebloom in spring after winter dormancy, making them among the hardiest of cool-season flowers.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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