Heliotrope Annual Flower, Houseplant

Home , Heliotrope (color), Heliotropium arborescens

Heliotropium arborescens Boraginaceae Family Synonym: Heliotropium peruvianum

Bring old fashioned romance to your garden with this bushy annual

bearing clusters of tiny, strongly perfumed purple, blue or white flowers.

Site Characteristics P l a nt Traits Special Considerations

Sunlight: Lifecycle: annual Special characteristics:

. full sun Ease-of-c a r e : moderately difficult . deer resistant . part shade . non-aggressive Height: 1.5 to 3 feet . non-invasive Performs best when shaded from hot . not native to North America - afternoon sun. Spread: 1 to 1.5 feet South America . fragrant - The flowers are Soil conditions: Bloom time: reknowned for their delicate vanilla-like fragrance. . requires well-drained soil . mid-summer . late summer Attracts: Special locations: . early fall . butterflies . outdoor containers Flower color: . indoors as a houseplant - Special uses: Bring plants indoors in late . blue summer as potted specimens . violet or cuttings. Grow indoors in a . white sunny location, keep moist, and provide cool (50 to 55°F) The tiny, delicate flowers are borne in nights. dense clusters.

Foliage color: dark green

The leaves are a very deep green with a purple cast.

Foliage texture: me di u m

Shape: upright

Shape in flower: same as above

Growing Information How to plant:

Propagate by seed, cuttings - Start seeds indoors 10 to 12 weeks before the last spring frost. Pinch the young plants to make them bushier. Plant outdoors when frost danger has passed and soil has warmed to at least 60°F.

Take cuttings in late summer for overwintering indoors. Cuttings result in stronger plants than seed, and are also more reliable for color and fragrance.

Germination temperature: 70 F to 75 F

Days to emergence: 28 to 42

Maintenance and care: Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Do not let potted plants dry out thoroughly. Fertilize monthly. Deadhead to prolong flowering.

More growing information: How to Grow Annuals

Varieties

‘Marine’: compact, 14” tall plants with deep purple flowers.

‘Fragrant Blue’: remarkably scented deep blue flowers which darken in color with cooler weather.