Heliotrope Growing Guide

Heliotropium arborescens

Crop Rotation Group

Miscellaneous ●

Soil

Fertile, well-drained soil that holds moisture well.

Position

Full sun with partial afternoon shade.

Frost tolerant

None. Heliotrope cannot tolerate cold temperatures.

Feeding

Mix a standard application of a balanced organic fertilizer into the soil prior to planting. In midsummer, drench plants with a liquid plant food to stimulate new growth.

Spacing

Single Plants: 7" (20cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 7" (20cm) with 7" (20cm) row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Sow seeds in warm, moist seed starting mix, or start with purchased plants. Seedlings are very slow-growing, so most gardeners buy plants in spring, many of which are grown from rooted cuttings.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Heliotrope develops lush, dark green foliage topped by fragrant flower clusters that may be purple, lavender or white, depending on variety. To grow bushy plants, it is important to pinch back the seedlings when they are young.

Harvesting

Snip off spent blossoms to keep plants looking neat, and to prolong flowering.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Heliotrope

Aphids (General)

Slug

Snail