How to Grow Godetia Flowers (Clarkia Amoena)

Tree Branch, How to Grow

Growing Godetias Flowers in Your Home Garden

Godetia plants are a late, spring-blooming annual flower. It is native to western North America, from British Colombia down to California. Many people consider this easy-to-grow flower as a wildflower.  The short annual Godetias have grey-green foliage and belong at the front of the flowerbed. Also, they grow well in rock gardens and flowerpots on your patio or deck. We hope this guide on “How to Grow Godetia Flowers” will encourage you to start growing them in your yard.

The plant grows quickly. It blooms in the spring, in just 30 to 60 days. It produces attractive, Azalea-like blooms. 

Godetia was name after Swiss botanist Charles H. Godet.

Godetia Plant Specifications

Flower Colors: Lilac, pink, red, rose, salmon, white and bicolors.

Flowers Bloom: Late Spring to Early Summer.

Plant Height: Godetia plant grows 12″ – 30″, depending upon variety. 

Light Requirements: Full sunlight to partial shade.

Ideal Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.5.

Hardiness Zone: 2 – 11. 

Toxicity: Non-toxic.

Invasive?: No

Deer Resistant? Yes.

Number of Species: 20

Native To: Western North America.

Plant Type: Annual.

Botanical Name: Clarkia Amoena

Other Names: Farewell to Spring

Are Godetia Plants Edible?

YES!! Godetia plants are indeed edible. They have a mild and slightly sweet flavor.

Try them in salads and as a garnish.

Medicinal Applications for Godetia

We are not aware of any medicinal uses for Godetia plants. 

Light Requirements

I cooler regions, godetia plants grow best in full sun. However, in warmer areas, they benefit from partial shade. Protect this cool weather plant from the hot rays of the midday sun. 

Annual Godetia Plant Propagation

Godetia plants are grown from seeds. Godetia seeds can be directly seeded into your flower garden. Or, for earlier blooms, start the plant indoors four to six weeks before the last frost date in your area. Sow Godetia seeds early in the season. Then, cover them lightly with 1/8″ of fine garden or potting soil.

Water the seeds lightly. Note: Heavy rainfall can wash the small seeds too deeply into the soil. Or it may wash the seeds away in rain runoff.

The ideal plant spacing is 16″ -20″. Godetia plants do not like to be crowded.

Days to Germination: 7 – 14 days.

How to Grow Godetia Flower Plants Outdoors

Grow Godetia in full sun. Plants need lots of sun, or they will grow slowly. They grow well in average to rich soil. Mix in compost when planting. Keep the soil moist, not wet. 

The plants do not need a lot of fertilizer. In poor soils, add a general-purpose fertilizer when planting them. Then, apply another dose of fertilizer before the blooms begin to appear.

Godetia flowers are easy to grow. As wildflowers, they require little care. In the home garden, mulch around them to help retain soil moisture, and to keep the weeds down.

Flowers bloom early to mid-summer. For continuous blooms all season long, deadhead spent flowers. Remove the stem of spent flowers where they meets the main stem. Learn how to Deadhead Blooms.

The stems are not very strong. Taller varieties may require staking.

Godetia plants are good re-seeders. Plant them where they can drop their seeds and grow undisturbed for years. If you allow them to reseed in a location, you will likely need to thin new plants in the spring.

Growing Godetia Plants in Flowerpots

Smaller varieties of colorful Godetia plants are good candidates to grow in flowerpots or containers. They will look great on your patio, balcony, or deck. In general, grow them as described in this how-to-grow guide. However, container-grown plants need a little extra attention. Here’s what to watch for:

  1. Patios or decks can reach a higher, hotter air temperature. This cool weather plant may suffer if the temperature gets too hot. So, move the container to a shaded area of your patio or deck when high summer temperatures arrive.
  2. The soil in flowerpots and containers dries out quickly. Smaller containers dry quicker than larger ones. Diligently check for soil moisture every day or two.
  3. The soil in containers and flowerpots have a limited amount of fertilizer and nutrients for your plant. While Godetia plants do not require a lot of fertilizer, the limited amount in your container may be insufficient. Apply a light solution of liquid fertilizer every 3-4 weeks. Or use fertilizer spikes.

Garden Tip: If you go away on vacation, have a neighbor or gardening friend check on all of your container-grown plants regularly.

Pruning Godetia Plants

As previously mentioned, deadhead spent blooms. Otherwise, the plant needs little pruning.

Remove any, broken, dead or diseased leaves and stems, as needed. 

Insects and Plant Disease

Godetia flowers seldom have insect or disease problems.  Use insecticides, repellents, and fungicides, as needed.

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