Am I Taking Good Care Of My Heliotrope?

Did you placed your heliotrope somewhere where it can get at least 6 hours of sunlight?

Is your heliotrope planted in well-drained potting soil, rich in organic matter?

Do you water your heliotrope regularly?

Did you provide a humid environment for your heliotrope during winter?

Do you fertilize your heliotrope regularly during the growing season?

Do you pinch back your heliotrope to encourage better blooming?

Did you repot your heliotrope when it became too large for its pot?

Do you keep your heliotrope free of pests and diseases?

Heliotrope prefers full sun to bloom their best. Plants that are light deprived will bloom less vigorously and stretch out from their normal compact, shrubby growth habit.

Heliotrope appreciate rich, loamy soil and even moisture, particularly if planted in containers. They don’t do well in heavy clay. Use a fast-draining potting soil with plenty of organic material.

Heliotrope like a steady supply of water, but do not want to be drenched. Don't let the plants dry out during the growing season. During winter you can cut back on watering a little.

During winter, provide as much ambient humidity as possible. Plants kept at 30 percent humidity, which is typical in a heated winter home, will suffer.

Heliotropes are heavy feeders. Feed them every two weeks with a liquid fertilizer meant for flowering plants. Fertilizers with high phosphorus are best for heliotropes.

Heliotrope care includes pinching plants back. You can start pinching back the tips all over the plant while it is still young to encourage bushiness. This will delay the initial bloom time, but later on, you’ll be rewarded with a larger, more constant supply of blossoms.

Heliotrope are naturally compact, shrubby plants with a moderate growth rate. They should only need repotting annually or every other year, depending on the size of the initial pot and the plant's growth rate. Only repot in spring, after the weather warms up and the plant is beginning to grow again.

Good job! You are taking good care of your heliotrope plant.

Heliotrope are vulnerable to pests including aphids,? mealybugs, scale, and whitefly. If possible, identify the infestation as early as possible and treat it with the least toxic option. Avoid overwatering or planting in poorly draining soil as wet soils can lead to root rot.