It spreads the floral magic of South America and wraps itself in a beguiling scent of vanilla, wine gum, cinnamon or fruity soda. The vanilla flower is considered an insider tip for the summer balcony and scented garden, thanks to its evergreen decorative leaves and lavish abundance of flowers. These answers to frequently asked questions reveal why the exotic ornamental tree is much too good for annual cultivation and how it can be successfully overwintered.
How do I care for a vanilla flower?
The vanilla flower, also called heliotrope, is an exotic plant with an intoxicating scent and lavish abundance of flowers. It thrives best in sunny or partially shaded locations, requires regular watering, weekly fertilization and can be overwintered with light pruning.
Planting vanilla flowers correctly
For vanilla flowers that have been purchased ready-made or grown on the windowsill, the planting time begins in mid-May. As a substrate, we recommend a high-quality pot plant soil (€18.00 on Amazon) based on compost. Please add a handful of lava granules or perlite for best permeability. A few pieces of pottery above the water drain act as protection against waterlogging. Take a young heliotrope out of the nursery pot and plant it deep in the middle so that the soil reaches the bottom pair of leaves. Press the substrate with your hands so that no air pockets hinder rooting. In daily practice, a 2-3 cm high pouring rim has proven to be effective. Finish the planting process with a generous sip of water.read more
Care tips
Its status as a rarity for the summer scented garden certainly does not result from modest care requirements. Given the uncomplicated care program, it is very surprising that the heliotrope is so rarely found in private ornamental gardens.
- Water regularly when the substrate has dried to a depth of 1-2 cm
- Administer a liquid fertilizer weekly from April to October
- Fertilize every 3 weeks from November to March
- Clean up wilted flowers as soon as possible
- Light pruning in autumn before putting away for winter quarters
In a bright location at temperatures of 10-18 degrees Celsius, only water the vanilla flower a little. If you see buds or flowers, snap them out with your fingers until February. At the end of the winter, cut the tree back to 2 buds or a height of 10-12 cm.read more
Which location is suitable?
A heliotrope particularly likes a sunny, warm and wind-protected location. Please choose a location that offers your flower scenter protection from the blazing midday sun. So the vanilla flower has nothing against a partially shaded place where it can enjoy the mild morning and evening sun.read more
What soil does the plant need?
A high-quality potting soil that is enriched with lava granules, perlite or pumice has proven successful for pot cultivation. If you prefer to cultivate a heliotrope in a bed for one year, a nutrient-rich, humus-rich and well-drained soil should be considered.
When is flowering time?
The heliotrope delights with its flowering period from May to September. As long as the temperatures are well above 10 degrees Celsius, the exotic ornamental tree with blue or white scented flowers transforms the balcony into a pleasant oasis of well-being. If you cut back the withered flower umbels and their stems regularly, the next buds will find their way to the sunlight.
Cut vanilla flowers correctly
The freshly sharpened, disinfected secateurs are one of the most important utensils in the professional care of heliotrope varieties. We have put together a list of occasions for you to cut the vanilla flower here:
- At a height of 8-10 cm, prune for bushy branching
- Cut off withered flowers including the stem down to the next bud
- Moderate pruning before putting away in autumn
- Consistently pinch out buds and flowers from November to February
The ornamental tree receives its main cut after wintering. Ideally, in March you should shorten all branches to a height of 10 cm. Please make sure that at least 2 buds remain on a shoot from which the heliotrope will sprout again.
Watering vanilla flowers
Adequate water supply is one of the fundamental care measures for a Heliotropium arborescens. In a sunny, warm location, daily watering may be necessary, especially during summer. To avoid waterlogging, please check with a thumb test whether the top 1-2 cm of the substrate has dried.
Fertilize vanilla flowers properly
Pamper your heliotrope with weekly doses of liquid fertilizer from April to October. The flowering and scented plant depends on this generous supply of nutrients so that its energy reserves do not run out prematurely. When you move into winter quarters, reduce the dosage to an interval of 3 weeks between November and March.
Wintering
In autumn, cut back the withered heliotrope and move the plant to its winter quarters. At temperatures between 10 and 18 degrees Celsius, place the vanilla flower in a bright location. Water occasionally to prevent the root ball from drying out. Since the South American beauty does not completely rest, continue to fertilize with a liquid preparation every 3 weeks. Pinch off buds and flowers with your fingers from November to February. In March, cut back your floral winter guest again to make room for fresh growth.read more
Propagate vanilla flowers
For vegetative, varietal propagation, please cut non-flowering, half-woody head cuttings in early summer. If the lower part is stripped of leaves and two-thirds planted in lean growing substrate, the rooting progresses quickly. A plastic bag placed over the food further speeds up the process. Please ensure that the substrate is constantly moist and do not apply fertilizer.
Alternatively, sow the seeds in small pots in February/March. Sieve the seeds to a maximum depth of 0.5 cm with sand or vermiculite. Germination takes 10-15 days in a partially shaded window seat at 18-22 degrees Celsius.
Is vanilla flower poisonous?
The vanilla flower is infused with a toxic alkaloid that primarily damages the liver. Therefore, a heliotrope is not suitable for cultivation in the family garden. There is too great a risk that the seductive, sweet scent will entice small children to snack, with fatal consequences for their he alth. If there are curious pets on the balcony, the ornamental tree should also be out of reach.read more
Beautiful varieties
- Navy: Compact vanilla flower that enchants with sky blue flowers; ideal for the bucket; Growth height 30-40 cm
- Alba: White-flowered, majestic heliotrope variety, revered as 'The Queen' in Victorian times; Growth height 80-100 cm
- Sally Reath: Enchanting floral scent for the summer balcony with dark purple flowers; Growth height 80-100 cm
- Iowa: Innovative breeding with amethyst-colored flower umbels and sweet scent of wine gum; Growth height 60-80 cm
- Ahrensburg Castle: Lushly branching ornamental shrub with medium blue, aromatic fragrant flowers; Growth height 30-40 cm
- Vanilla Magic: Premium variety with violet flowers, the scent of which awakens the desire for vanilla pudding; 30-40cm
