How to Care for Tuberose Plants
Tuberose, known botanically as Polianthes tuberosa, is an herbaceous bulbous plant that was thought to have been first cultivated by the Aztecs in its native Mexico. Botanists refer to tuberose as a cultigen, a term that describes a plant that does not occur in the wild. With its long basal leaves and tall stems topped with clusters of fragrant, tubular flowers, tuberose can make a charming addition to your flower garden or home landscape. Tuberose also makes a lovely cut flower that can be used alone or in arrangements. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tuberose bulbs
- Shovel
- Spade
- Peat moss
- Perlite
- Coarse builder's sand
- Garden hose or watering can
- 8-8-8 fertilizer
- Paper bag
Instructions
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Plant your tuberose bulbs in a full-sun location that receives six to eight hours of sunlight per day. Select a planting location that also offers well-draining soil or amend poor soils with peat moss, perlite and coarse builder's sand to improve drainage.
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Water the soil thoroughly after planting your tuberose bulbs. Water once or twice a week, or as often as necessary, to keep the soil moist, but well-drained, until your tuberose sprouts. Continue to water your tuberose at least once a week to keep the soil adequately moist.
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Fertilize your tuberose plants in the spring and summer with biweekly applications of an 8-8-8 fertilizer. Apply the fertilizer to the soil around your tuberose plants according to the instructions on the package.
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4
Deadhead spent tuberose blossoms from your tuberose plants to encourage them to continue producing blossoms. Remove yellow, discolored foliage from your tuberose plants in the late summer.
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Dig up your tuberose bulbs after the first frost if you live in USDA plant hardiness zones 1 through 8. Allow the bulbs to air-dry in a cool, dry location for several days. Once the bulbs have air-dried, place them in a paper bag filled with peat moss and store in a cool, dry location for a few months. Replant your tuberose bulbs in the spring, after the last threat of frost has passed and nighttime temperatures reach 50 degrees F.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider lightly mulching the soil around your tuberose plants with pine straw, wood chips or bark pieces to conserve moisture and retard the growth of weeds.
Do not allow the soil your tuberose is planted in to become waterlogged or the root system may rot.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit white tuberose image by Florin Capilnean from Fotolia.com
