Am I Taking Good Care Of My Scaevola (Fairy Fan Flower)?

Did you planted your fairy fan flower somewhere in full to the partial sun?

Is your fairy fan flower planted in well-drained soil?

Do you live in a region with cold winters?

Do you water your Scaevola frequently?

Do you fertilize your Scaevola frequently?

Did you prune your fairy fan flower?

Do you keep your Scaevola free of pests and diseases?

Choose a site with full to partial sun for best Scaevola performance. Plants in hot, desert areas may remain perter when placed in a location with dappled shade.

Rich soil isn't necessary for thriving Scaevola plants. While soil of average fertility is fine, good drainage is an important ingredient of healthy plant growth. When growing in the ground, amend heavy clay soils or use raised beds.

Scaevola cannot tolerate freezing temperatures and will die if exposed to cold. Temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit will cause slow growth and eventually die back. Scaevola plants grow vigorously in warm to hot weather. Temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees yield the happiest plants with compact growth, but hot temperatures are also well tolerated.

Scaevola plants prefer to be on the dry side, but they do need occasional watering. Plants growing in wet soil may attract fungus gnats or may experience root rot. Wait until the soil surface is dry to water. Wilted plants will perk up quickly after irrigation.

Scaevola plants require only a light feeding. Choose a balanced flower fertilizer low in phosphorus, which can cause flower and foliage discoloration. Apply the fertilizer once a month during the growing season.

Like most trailing annuals, Scaevola benefits from a little snipping here and there to keep it tidy and to encourage the plant to grow in a branching habit, rather than developing long, lanky stems. Scaevola is self-cleaning and does not need to be deadheaded, but you can cut it back by half after the first big flush of blooms to encourage new growth and spur even more flowering.

Good job! You are taking good care of your Scaevola.

Scaevola doesn't suffer from many pests or disease problems. Plants stressed by lengthy drought may attract thrips. Avoid spraying Scaevola for insects, as the plants are an important source of nectar for butterflies.