How to Grow Maltese Cross Flowers

About Growing Maltese Cross Plants in Your Home Flower Garden

Perennial Maltese Cross plants, also called Jerusalem Cross, are sharp-looking, attractive flowers. The plant got it’s name from the distinct cross-like shape of their flowers. The flowers are clustered together on a globe-like bunch that sits atop a long stem. They are drought tolerant and easy to grow. Maltese Cross flowers are perfect to brighten up your flower garden. If you’re not yet convinced, there’s another reason for growing Maltese Cross flowers. Just imagine relaxing on your desk as you watch the monarch butterflies and other butterflies visit the flowers.

The plants grow three to four feet tall. It has dark green leaves, located opposite each other on the stem. Stem and leaves are “hairy”. Florets have four petals in a cross shape. A rounded flower head has many florets. By far the most common color is a deep red or scarlet red. Red-orange is also common. White and pink varieties also exist, though they are less common.

Maltese Cross is native to eastern Asia. Historians believe the Maltese Cross flower was brought to Europe during the Crusades of the Middle Ages by the Knights of Malta. This Middle East connection also lends to one of its other names, the Jerusalem Cross flower.

Plant Maltese Cross in the back of the flower garden. They are also used as border edgings. Try them in naturalized landscape settings, too. Then, you can watch butterflies and hummingbirds that are attracted to the nectar-laden blossoms.

Did You Know? The plant symbolizes courage and resilience.

Maltese Cross Plant Specifications

Flower Colors: Pink, red, and white.

Flowers Bloom: Early to mid-Summer.

Plant Height: Three to four feet tall.

Ideal Soil pH: 6.5 – 7.5.

Light Requirement: Full sun.

Hardiness Zones: 3 – 10

Toxic Plant? Yes.

Deer and Rabbit Resistant? Yes. It is deer and rabbit resistant.

Native To: Eastern Asia, Russia and Siberia.

Plant Type: Perennial

Botanical Name: Lychnis chalcedonica

Other Names: Flower of Bristol, Jerusalem Flower, Burning Love Flower, Nonesuch.

Are Maltese Cross Flowers Edible?

NO!!

The plant contains toxic compounds. Consumption can cause gastrointestinal distress, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Medicinal Applications for Maltese Cross Plants

These plants are used in a variety of home herbal medicines.

Among them are:

Arthritis
Jaundice
Stomach and intestinal ailments
Tonsilitis

Caution: Because this plant is toxic, we recommend you do not prepare these remedies yourself, unless you are properly trained to do so.

Light Requirements

Grow Maltese Cross flowers in bright, direct sunlight. Select a planting location where they will receive at least seven to eight hours of sunlight. In hotter regions of the country, grow them where they are partially shaded from the hot afternoon sun.

While they will grow in partial shade, it affects the health and flower production of the plant. In too little sunlight the plant grows leggy. It also results in fewer blossoms.

Maltese Cross Plant Propagation

Perennial Maltese Cross are grown from seeds. They can be directly seeded into your flower garden, or seeded indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost in your area. Sow seeds early in the season, and cover lightly with 1/8″ of fine garden or potting soil.

Maltese Cross seeds germinate in 10 – 15 days. We recommend using a heated germination mat.

The ideal final plant spacing is 12″ -15″ apart. Thin or transplant seedlings, if needed, when they reach 2″. The plants tolerate a little crowding.

Established plants can also be propagated by plant division of the rootball. Separate and replant in spring or late fall.

Days to Germination: 10 – 15 days.

How to Grow Maltese Cross Flower Plants

Maltese Cross plants are very easy to grow. The like full sun. They will tolerate partial shade. They prefer loose, rich soil that drains well. Maltese Cross plants are drought-tolerant, preferring soil on the dry side. It is important to avoid wet soils. Plants will not do well and will likely die in wet soils. Add a general-purpose fertilizer when planting them, then once a month after that.

Once your Maltese Cross plants are established, they should grow well with few problems. Keep the plants well weeded. Apply a layer of mulch to keep the weeds down. The “hairy” leaves and stems can catch garden debris. Be careful to keep them clean, while working with the plants.

The plants will flower in the second year. Then, watch the butterflies flying over to the blooms. Deadhead the spent flowers, to promote continuous blooms all summer and into early fall. Remove the flower and entire flower stem.

Maltese Cross plants are heat and drought tolerant. But, we do recommend watering them during the driest periods of summer. With enough moisture in the soil, they will do well in mid-summer heat when other plants are wilting.

Jerusalem Cross can be invasive. Use border edging, as needed. Edging should be four to six inches deep in the soil.

How to Grow Maltese Cross Flowers in Containers

When we think about flowers to grow in containers or flowerpots, Maltese Cross flowers do not often come to mind. But, in the right setting, they can look good on your patio or deck. Like any container-grown plant, they need a little more care and attention.

In addition to normal plant care, here’s how to grow Maltese Cross flowers in containers:

It is important to have a drain hole to allow excess water to drain from the pot.
Keep an eye on the moisture level. Check the plants every day or two, especially in extended periods of hot, dry weather.
Keep the soil moist, but not wet. It is okay to let the top of the soil begin to dry between watering.
When watering the plants, thoroughly wet the soil. Excess water will drain through the hole in the bottom of the flowerpot.
Nutrients in a flowerpot are limited. So, use fertilizer spikes to feed the plants. Or, apply a light solution of liquid fertilizer once a month.
Select a sunny to partly sunny location on your deck.