How to Grow Nemesia

It takes about two weeks for nemesia seeds to germinate.

Nemesia, also called pouch nemesia, is a colorful annual that does best in regions with cool summer temperatures. It is available in a host of colors, including yellow, orange, red, pink and white. The eye-catching blooms appear in spring and last well into summer. The plants grow from 1 to 2 feet tall and are ideal for borders or beds. They prefer cool to moderate temperatures and must be provided with shade and abundant water in hot regions.

Things You'll Need

• Plant flat
• Seed-starting mixture
• Clear plastic
• Garden fork
• Organic compost
• Garden spade
• Organic mulch
• Liquid all-purpose fertilizer
• Pruning shears

Instructions

1. Fill a plant flat almost 3/4 full with seed-starting mixture. Sow the seeds and cover them to a depth of 1/4 inch.

2. Add enough water to moisten, but not drench, the seed-starting mixture. Stretch a piece of clear plastic over the plant flat and place in a dark location that maintains temperatures of at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. Check the growing mixture daily and add moisture only if the mixture no longer sticks to your finger. Remove the plastic and place in a warm, sunny location after the first seedling emerges.

4. Loosen soil in the planting location to a depth of 12 inches. Amend with 2 to 3 inches of organic compost.

5. Transplant the seedlings outdoors after they have developed six leaves. Plant at the same level they were growing before and water until the soil feels moist. Add 2 to 3 inches of organic mulch.

6. Water nemesia plants when the top 1/2 inch of soil no longer feels moist. Feed them two times each month with liquid all-purpose fertilizer, at the recommended dilution for outdoor flowers.

7. Pinch the tips of the plants back, before blooms start to develop, to encourage fuller growth. Cut the plants back by half in midsummer to stimulate another wave of blooms.

Tips & Warnings

• Start nemesia six weeks before the last frost of spring.

• Leave 6 inches of space between each nemesia plant.

• Nemesia can also be grown as a houseplant, though it is not very long-lived.

References

• Michigan State University Extension: Nemesia Strumosa--Pouch Nemesia
• The Garden Helper: How to Grow and Care for Your Pouch Nemesia
• Backyard Gardener: Nemesia
• North Carolia State University: Nemesia Strumosa