Light: Pansies do best with about six hours of sun daily. In warmest regions (Zone 7 and warmer), protect plants from full sun during the hottest part of the day. Too much heat can slow flower formation. New trailing pansy varieties, like Cool Wave, need a minimum of six hours of full sun to flower best.
Can pansies tolerate full sun?
Pansies perform best in cooler weather, and are therefore usually planted in spring or fall. They like rich, well-drained soil high in organic matter, and full sun or partial shade. (Shade is especially beneficial south of Zone 7 where the hot afternoon sun will shut down flower production.)
How do you keep pansies alive in the summer?
Keeping pansies alive over the summer is most easily accomplished by placing them in an area that is not full sun and not letting them crisp from neglect during the summer heat. Pansies frequently go dormant during hot weather and are often mistakenly believed dead.