How to Grow and Care for Nemesia Flower Plants

About Growing Nemesia Plants in Your Home Flower Garden

You’re just going to love growing Nemesia flowers in your garden this year. Nemesia plants are a trouble-free, cool weather plant, that you will certainly want to include in your flower garden this year!

Cheery Nemesia is a brightly colored plant with striking flower clusters. Solid and bi-color flowers include orange, red, pink, yellow, and white. The flowers of this easy-to-grow, trouble-free plant, will bloom from spring thru summer.

The plants are native to South Africa. They are related to Snapdragons and include over 70 species.

Try growing Nemesia in borders, flower beds, window boxes, and containers. They make good-cut flowers, too.

Nemesia flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Nemesia Flowers Plant Specifications

Flower colors: Colors include blue, orange, pink, red, and white. There are a variety of bicolors.

Flower Blooms: Spring through summer.

Plant Height: 1 to 2 feet tall.

Ideal Soil pH: 5.5 – 7.5.

Light Requirement: Full to partial sunlight.

Hardiness Zones: 2 – 10

Are Plants Toxic? No.

Deer Resistant? Yes, the plants are resistant to deer and rabbits.

Native To: South Africa.

Plant Type: Annuals, short-lived perennial.

Botanical Name: Nemesia spp.

Other Names: Eleven O’clock, Purslane, and Sun Plant

Are Nemesia Plants Edible?

YES!!

The plants are edible. However, eating large quantities can cause digestive discomfort.

The plants have little nutritional value. And, they do not have a enjoyable taste. As a result, people rarely consume them.

Medicinal Applications for Nemesia Flowers

There are no know medicinal uses for Nemesia plants. However, like other bright and cheery flowers, Nemesia can brighten and uplift your mood.

Light Requirements

Hot weather can shorten the blooming period for these plants. In cooler areas of the country, grow Nemesia flowers grow best in full sunlight. A little afternoon shade is good for them. In hotter regions, they grow best in partial shade to protect them from the hot rays of the sun.

Nemesia Plant Propagation

Nemesia flowers are grown from seeds. Sow Nemesia seeds directly into your flower garden after the soil has warmed and air temperatures reach above 60 degrees. You can also sow seeds indoors, six weeks before the last frost.

The plants can also be propagated by rooting cuttings.

Nemesia Seeds Planting Depth: Plant the seeds 1/8 inch dep and cover with fine, light garden soil.

Days to Germination: 7 – 14

How to Grow Nemesia Plants

Nemesia is an easy-to-grow, cool weather plant. The plants do not like high heat and humidity. It withstands frost better than most flower plants.

Grow plants in full sun to partial shade.

Plants like rich organic soil with plenty of humus. Mix plenty of compost into the planting site.

Fertilize plants monthly, with a general-purpose fertilizer.

Keep the soil moist, not wet.

Deadhead spent blooms.

After the flower blooming period is over, you can pull up and remove plants grown as annuals at any time. If you want to harvest nemesia seeds, allow the plant to grow until the seeds mature and dry. And, if you are growing them as annuals, cut the plant to the ground after the first frost.

Garden Tip: To stimulate another wave of blooms, cut plants back by half in midsummer.

How to Grow Nemesia Flowers in Containers

The somewhat tall Nemesia plants are not commonly grown in flowerpots and containers. They are too tall for windowsill boxes. However, you certainly can grow them in containers on your patio or deck, if you desire.

In addition to the normal steps for growing them, here’s how to care for them in a flowerpot or container:

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.

Pruning Nemesia Plants

Nemesia plants do not require a trim at any time in the plant’s life. Remove and dead or damaged leaves to retain a neat and tidy plant appearance.

Remove spent blooms as soon as the flower fades. This aids plant appearance and encourages the development of new flower buds. More on Deadheading spent blooms.

Insects and Plant Disease

Insect and disease problems are not common. If insect or disease problems occur, treat early with organic or chemical insect repellents and fungicide.

Also see: Plant Problems – Identify the causes and find the cures.