How to Grow Common Heliotrope (Heliotropium Arborescens)

Boasting a wonderful, intense, fruity fragrance that earned this plant its other name - cherry pie plant - heliotrope also has pretty deep purple clusters of flowers and rich green leaves. This annual (grows just one year) grows 14 inches to 3 feet, depending on the variety.

Things You'll Need

• Bypass Pruners
• Compost Makers
• Fertilizers
• Garden Spades
• Garden Trowels
• Mulch
• Plants

Instructions

1. Check out seedlings at your local nursery. Heliotrope also often is sold in hanging baskets so the flowers can be suspended at nose level.

2. 

   Plant seedlings outdoors in full sun and well-drained soil after all danger of frost has passed. Space anywhere from one to two feet, depending on the ultimate height of the plant.

3. 

   Give just moderate water; too much decreases the plant's scent.

4. 

   Fertilize every four to six weeks. Heliotrope isn't a heavy feeder, but does best with plenty of nutrients.

5. 

   Trim off spent flowers to encourage more blooms.

6. Pull out and discard plants once fall frosts kill them.

Tips & Warnings

• Heliotrope makes a great houseplant if you have a sunny spot. Simply dig up the plant at the end of the season before frost hits and pot it up.

• Don't allow heliptrope to get extremely dry. It will drop its lower leaves.