The vanilla flower, which comes from the Andean regions, enchants the balcony with its large flower balls. The pretty rough leaf plant spreads a very pleasant vanilla aroma, scores with its robustness and is extremely easy to care for.
How do I care for a vanilla flower on the balcony?
To successfully cultivate a vanilla flower on the balcony, it needs a sunny to partially shaded location, permeable substrate and regular watering. Fertilize sparingly and remove spent flower umbels weekly for a he althy, fragrant plant.
Location on the balcony
Heliotrope needs a sunny or at least partially shaded location to thrive. The flowering plant, which is not hardy, may only be placed outdoors when no more night frosts are expected.
The right substrate
You can plant the vanilla flower in standard potting soil as a mixed plant with other balcony flowers. Since heliotrope prefers very permeable soils, you must ensure good drainage. A thin layer of expanded clay in the planters is therefore recommended.
Water enough
Never let the pot ball dry out completely, because the vanilla flower is just as sensitive to this as it is to waterlogging. Water whenever the top centimeters of the substrate feel dry (thumb test).
How to fertilize?
In contrast to many flowering plants, Heliotrope requires rather sparse amounts of fertilizer. Once a month, dose half the specified amount of a commercially available liquid fertilizer (€14.00 on Amazon). A low-dose long-term fertilizer or fertilizer sticks are also well tolerated.
If you repot the solstice every year, you can even forego additional fertilization altogether.
Clean regularly
The formation of seeds costs the plant a lot of energy. Therefore, remove the spent flower umbels at least once a week.
Wintering
Heliotrope is not hardy and has to be moved indoors before temperatures drop below five degrees. The ideal location during winter rest is:
- cool
- frost-free
- bright
Since the plant stops growing during this time, water just enough to ensure that the substrate does not dry out completely.
In spring
Remove wilted leaves and all dried plant parts in spring. Pruning ensures that the solstice sprouts strong and richly branched.
Tip
Heliotrope is poisonous in all parts of the plant. Place the plant on the balcony so that small children or pets cannot accidentally snack on the leaves and flowers.