Blue spur flower, often known as each Plectranthus barbatus and Coleus barbatus, has a big, upright bushy construction and blue-purple flowers, making this plant good for backyard beds. This sizable species prefers partial daylight, nutrient-rich soil, and heat temperatures, and it is pretty drought-tolerant.
Blue Spur Flower Care
Although it has vibrant blooms and a commanding presence, the blue spur flower is an easy-to-care-for addition to your backyard. Listed here are the principle care necessities for blue spur flower:
- Select a sunny spot, ideally with partial daylight, although blue spur flower can tolerate full solar.
- Put together nutrient-dense, well-draining soil.
- Water often however do not let the plant sit in moist soil for lengthy.
- Amend the soil with compost annually.
The Spruce / Ok. Dave
The Spruce / Ok. Dave
The Spruce / Ok. Dave
Gentle
Most blue spur flowers can tolerate full solar, however they like partial shade to actually thrive. They’re naturally present in forests or river banks with filtered mild, so imitating the sort of lighting will create the healthiest specimens.
For indoor lighting, place in an space with vivid, oblique lighting for finest outcomes.
Soil
These vibrant flowers want wealthy soil like these discovered within the forest. Including some natural matter or compost to your soil earlier than planting will mimic this fertile atmosphere. This may even assist the soil to empty effectively and forestall issues with overwatering.
Water
The Plectranthus genus is drought-resistant and, due to this fact, not very choosy relating to watering. A daily watering schedule remains to be helpful however resist the urge to water it continually.
In case you dwell in a scorching, dry local weather, extra watering could also be wanted to maintain it wholesome. Nevertheless, make certain to not overwater, as this may rapidly kill your plant. Water when the highest inch of soil feels dry.
Temperature and Humidity
In step with its hardy nature, the blue spur flower can face up to a variety of temperatures. It does effectively with warmth and also can survive a frost.
As a tropical plant, a deep freeze will kill this plant although, so make sure to shield it when you have any harsh climate heading your method. A technique to do that can be to convey your blue spur flower inside for the winter.
Fertilizer
Blue spur flower is sort of hardy and doesn’t require frequent fertilizing to keep up a full and wholesome plant. Including natural materials and compost to the soil earlier than planting will present its diet wants. If you want to encourage development and flowering, a normal fertilizer will do the job properly.
Pruning
Blue spur flower spreads simply, so you may need to prune it periodically all through the rising season by merely pruning the tricks to your liking. This may even make sure that your blue spur flower maintains an aesthetically pleasing form.
Propagating Blue Spur Flower
The blue spur flower is an aggressive spreader. It does this by sending out offshoots beneath the soil. To propagate, you may merely dig up a few of these offshoots and transfer the divided plant to its new space.
An alternative choice for propagation is through the use of stem cuttings. The cuttings root simply in soil and may be grown with out a lot trouble. Right here’s how:
- Utilizing sharp backyard snips or scissors, reduce a piece out of your plant that may be a few inches in size.
- Take away the underside leaves.
- Place your slicing in damp soil. Preserve moist whereas rooting.
- Your new blue spur flower ought to take root reasonably rapidly, and, earlier than it, you’ll have one other thriving plant.
Potting and Repotting
The blue spur flower does fairly effectively in pots and might even be introduced inside throughout harsh winters to be saved as a houseplant. If you want to maintain this plant in a pot, be sure to select one with good drainage.
Since these vegetation are drought-tolerant, they don’t like to take a seat in water. An excessive amount of water can rapidly kill them. This makes drainage holes a should.
Overwintering
Blue spur flower can tolerate some cooler temperatures however will probably be killed by a tough freeze. In USDA zones that have chilly winters, you may should convey blue spur flower indoors or just deal with it as an annual. In zones September 11, blue spur flower ought to make it by way of winter with none extra assist. It could die again considerably however ought to return in spring.
Frequent Plant Illnesses
Fortuitously, blue spur flower doesn’t undergo from lots of widespread plant illnesses, however it might have fungal points similar to leaf spot. To keep away from this, strive to not let water sit on the leaves for lengthy. This shouldn’t be a lot of an issue when rising outdoor, however ideally, water your blue spur flower within the morning simply in case in order that the leaves have time to strive whereas the solar is shining.
Get Blue Spur Flower to Bloom
Blue spur flower is a simple bloomer that places on a colourful present.
Bloom Months
Blue spur flower begins blooming in March in heat areas and continues to bloom up till the spring, probably even summer season.
What Do Blue Spur Flowers Look and Odor Like?
Blue spur flower vegetation ship up stems stuffed with small, blue-purple inflorescences in slight hook shapes. The flowers don’t have any discernible odor.
Encourage Extra Blooms?
To encourage extra blooms, be sure that your blue spur flower plant is getting sufficient mild and take into account amending the soil round it with some contemporary compost. You may as well deadhead the flowers as applicable to encourage the plant to ship out extra blooms.
Deadheading Blue Spur Flowers
Deadheading spent blue spur flowers will inspire the plant to ship up much more blooms. By deadheading often, you might be able to get your blue spur flower plant to maintain producing flowers into spring and even into summer season.
