How to Care for a Bridal Veil Hanging Plant

Bacopa is the Latin name for a plant commonly known as "bridal veil." This plant is characterized by its tiny, delicate white flowers and waxy leaves. It has the habit of spreading quickly and usually hangs over the pot, making it a beautiful choice for a hanging plant. Originally grown in South Africa, the plant has only recently been made widely available. The bridal veil is a perennial, meaning it will bloom year after year if well taken care of.

Things You'll Need

• soil
• bridal veil plant or clipping
• water
• mulch
• liquid fertilizer
• plant sheers

Instructions

1. If you choose to grow your bridal veil from a clipping, you will need to pot it in rich, humic soil with lots of nutrients. This type of plant grows best under these conditions. Rich soil promotes growth and flowering and keeps plants alive longer.

2. Make sure your bridal veil has room. Plants need space for the roots, flowers and leaves to grow. Overcrowded plants quickly whither and die. Bridal veils also spread, so you will need to give them room to do so.

3. Keep the soil moist and the plant well-watered. This is especially important during warm weather or droughts. Continue to water until water begins to run from the bottom of the pot. Take care not to overwater as this can drown the plant. Soil should be kept moist, but the bridal veil plant should never be left in standing water.

4. Top the soil with a thin layer of mulch, which will help hold the moisture in. Bridal veils are dependent on moisture.

5. Trim the plant back as needed. Bridal veils are notorious for weed-like growth if left to their own devices and will grow as long as 60 to 90 centimeters.

6. Feed the bridal veil with mild liquid fertilizer every two weeks to boost growth and promote flowering. Fertilization is especially important if you wish to keep your plant going strong throughout the season.

7. Protect the plant from frost if you live in a cold weather climate. Although very hardy, bridal veils thrive better in warmer climates. They make great indoor plants as well, so they can easily be moved inside as the weather gets colder.

8. Bridal veils do best with direct sunlight, but they can survive in partial and light shade.

Tips & Warnings

• Bridal veils grow easily from clippings. Save your trimmings and give them to a friend.

• Bridal veils attract bees, birds and butterflies.

• Bridal veils are weed-like in growth and can get out of control if not managed.

References

• Dave's Garden
• Hangin' with the Foliage

Resources

• Fall's Brightest Flowers
• About-Garden.com