How to Grow Heliotrope House Plants
Heliotropes (Heliotropium arborescens or H. peruvianum) are tropical perennial plants that are often grown as summer annuals in colder climates. Known for their sweet, cherry-pie fragrance, heliotropes are native to South America and have tropical-looking, coarse leaves. The heliotrope blooms in pretty purple flowers in midsummer until fall and usually reaches about 12 to 15 inches in height. Few houseplants have a fragrance as strong and pleasant as the heliotrope and are as low-maintenance. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Heliotrope plants or seeds
- Planter pot
- All-purpose potting soil
- Watering can
- Water-soluble 10-60-10 NPK fertilizer
Instructions
-
-
1
Pot your heliotrope in a container with drainage holes in the bottom. Fill the container with rich, well-draining all-purpose potting soil.
-
2
Position your heliotrope in partial sunlight, where it can receive direct, full sun during morning and some partial shade in the afternoon. Keep air temperatures warm around your heliotrope, around 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
-
-
3
Water your heliotrope deeply to keep the potting soil evenly moistened and to prevent it from drying out. Water the heliotrope daily during the hot summer months and two or three times per week during spring and summer. In winter, you can water the heliotrope once per week.
-
4
Feed your heliotrope houseplant once each week during summer with a water-soluble 10-60-10 NPK fertilizer at half the normal dosage rate. Fertilize the heliotrope once every two to three weeks during spring.
-
5
Pinch back the new-growth stems when the heliotrope is young to stimulate growth and encourage a bushier plant. Pinch back the tips on the side shoots until the heliotrope reaches the desired height, and then begin to pinch off the top shoots. Remove the spent flowers when they fade to promote continuous blooming.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
You can grow heliotropes from seed instead of purchasing nursery-raised plants. Sow the seeds in lightweight, well-draining potting soil in early spring. Keep the potting mix evenly moistened at all times and warmed to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The heliotrope seeds germinate within four weeks.
Don’t expose your heliotrope to extreme, direct afternoon sun. You can set your heliotrope houseplants outdoors during the warmer spring and summer months, but be sure that they receive direct, full sunlight only during the morning or first half of the day to prevent leaf scorching.
