Heliotrope is a gorgeous flower that adds a pop of color and lovely fragrance to any indoor space. Though traditionally grown outdoors, heliotrope can also thrive indoors with proper care. Growing these delightful flowers inside requires understanding their needs for sunlight, temperature, soil, water and fertilizer. With a little time and effort, you can enjoy heliotrope’s beauty and aroma right in your own home.
Choosing the Right Heliotrope Variety
When deciding which heliotrope variety to grow indoors, consider the following factors:
Growth Habit
- Trailing varieties like Cherry Pie or Marine have vines that cascade nicely in hanging baskets.
- Mounded types like Fragrant Delight form fuller, bushier plants best suited for pots.
Flower Color
- Classic deep purple blooms are available in many varieties.
- You can also find white (Alba), pink (Scented Pink) and lavender shades.
Fragrance
- Most types are pleasantly scented, but some like Scented Lilac have an especially powerful, sweet perfume.
Mature Size
- Compact varieties reach just 6-12 inches tall, fitting easily on windowsills.
- Larger types can grow 24 inches or more, needing more space.
Once you select the ideal heliotrope for your needs, it’s time to prepare for planting.
Providing the Right Growing Conditions
Heliotrope thrives when given the proper indoor growing environment. Here are tips on providing what this plant needs:
Light
- Heliotrope wants abundant sunlight – at least 5-6 hours per day. A south or west-facing window is ideal.
- Rotate the plant regularly so all sides receive sufficient light.
- Supplement with grow lights if natural light is inadequate. Use full spectrum bulbs.
Temperature
- Daytime temperatures between 65-75°F and nights around 55°F are best.
- Keep away from hot and cold drafts from heating/cooling vents.
Humidity
- Maintain moderate humidity around 50-60%. Mist leaves occasionally if air is dry.
- Good airflow is important to prevent disease – use a small fan if needed.
Air Circulation
- Stagnant air encourages problems like powdery mildew.
- Placing your heliotrope among other plants can improve air movement.
- Run a small fan in the room for about 2 hours daily.
With the right conditions in place, it’s time to plant!
How to Plant Heliotrope
Follow these steps when preparing heliotrope for indoor planting:
Choose a Container
- For compact types, select a 6-8 inch pot. Larger varieties need a 10-12 inch container.
- Make sure there are several drainage holes at the bottom.
- Shallow pots work better than deep ones.
Use Proper Soil
- Use a good quality commercial potting mix, not garden soil.
- The soil should contain peat or compost and have decent drainage.
- Mix in perlite or vermiculite to improve aeration.
Plant at Correct Depth
- Plant each heliotrope at the same soil level it was growing at before.
- Don’t plant too deep or leaves may rot.
Water Thoroughly
- After planting, water well so the entire soil area is moistened.
- Take care not to overwater – wet soil can cause stem rot.
Apply Fertilizer
- Use a balanced fertilizer diluted to half strength at planting time.
- This gives heliotrope an extra nutrient boost right from the start.
Provide Support
- Insert plant stakes or small cages to support tall or vining heliotrope.
- This prevents breakage later on as the plant gets larger.
With good care after planting, your heliotrope will soon be growing happily indoors!
Caring for Heliotrope: Water, Fertilizer, Pruning
Heliotrope requires attentive care to thrive indoors. Follow these tips:
Watering
- Check soil daily, water when the top inch is dry. Don’t let it completely dry out.
- Avoid overwatering that can lead to root rot. Dump excess water in saucers.
- Drooping leaves often indicate under-watering. Allow soil to dry between waterings.
- Use room temperature water – cold water may shock roots.
Fertilizing
- Fertilize every 2-3 weeks during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
- Discontinue feeding by late summer so plants can harden off.
- Avoid over-fertilizing that causes excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowers.
Pruning
- Prune lightly in early spring to shape and remove dead portions.
- Pruning after flowering stops encourages new blooms.
- Clip off spent flower heads to encourage more buds.
- Pinch back leggy shoots to promote bushy growth.
Pest Control
- Watch for common pests like whiteflies, aphids and mealybugs. Remove by hand or use horticultural oils/insecticidal soaps.
- Protect against diseases like botrytis, rust and powdery mildew. Improve air circulation and avoid wet leaves.
With attentive care, your heliotrope will reward you with an abundance of color and fragrance indoors.
When and How to Repot Heliotrope
Though heliotrope prefers to be somewhat root-bound, repotting is sometimes necessary:
When to Repot
- Repot young plants that outgrow small starter pots. Move them into 6-8 inch containers.
- After several years, repot into a container one size larger if the roots have filled the existing pot.
How to Repot Heliotrope
- Carefully remove the plant from its old pot and loosen the root ball.
- Prune off any circling or damaged roots.
- Place into the new container filled with fresh potting mix.
- Water thoroughly after repotting, then resume normal care.
Avoiding Transplant Shock
- Repot in early spring before active growth resumes.
- Minimize root disturbance when repotting to prevent transplant shock.
- Provide extra humidity and reduced sunlight after repotting.
Follow these repotting tips to keep your heliotrope healthy and productive for years to come.
Common Problems With Heliotrope
While generally easy to grow indoors, heliotrope can encounter a few problems:
Poor Flowering
Causes
- Insufficient light
- Excessive nitrogen fertilizer
- Low temperatures
Solutions
- Provide ample sunlight of at least 5-6 hours per day
- Use a balanced fertilizer and avoid over-feeding
- Maintain ideal temperature range of 65-75°F
Leaf Drop
Causes
- Overwatering
- Low humidity
- Cold drafts
Solutions
- Allow soil to partially dry before watering
- Increase humidity around the plant to 50-60%
- Avoid cold air from vents and open windows
Leggy Growth
Causes
- Insufficient light
- Close spacing
- Variety not suited for indoors
Solutions
- Give more sunlight or use grow lights
- Allow adequate space between plants
- Select a compact variety suitable for indoor growing
With good care, indoor heliotrope will stay healthy and reward you with an abundance of colorful, fragrant blooms.
Best Uses for Heliotrope in Indoor Décor
Heliotrope’s attractive flowers and scent lend themselves beautifully to indoor decor:
Window Boxes
Cascade trailing varieties in window boxes or hanging baskets. The flowers and fragrance will be delightfully closer to your indoor living spaces.
Table Centerpieces
Use heliotrope as a focal point in fresh flower centerpieces. The colors complement most other blooms.
Entryway Greetings
Place pots of heliotrope near entryways to provide a lovely welcome with color and perfume.
Bathroom Accents
The humidity of bathrooms makes them ideal spots for heliotrope. Let the flowers perfume your homemade soaps and bath products.
Kitchen Herb Garden
Though not an herb, heliotrope’s fragrance enhances an indoor kitchen herb garden. Combine it with rosemary, mint and basil.
With its captivating floral display and sweet scent, heliotrope is a wonderful way to bring charm and fragrance to your indoor spaces.
Enjoying Heliotrope Year-Round
While heliotrope flourishes in indoor gardens during spring and summer, you can enjoy this delightful flower at other times too:
Overwinter Indoors
- At the end of the season, prune back your heliotrope and bring it inside before frost.
- Provide bright, cool conditions and reduce watering during winter rest.
Start from Cuttings
- Take stem cuttings in summer to propagate new plants. Root them in sterile potting mix.
- Grow the young plants on to use as next year’s indoor specimens.
Bring Outdoors in Summer
- Place potted heliotrope outdoors in a sunny spot after danger of frost is past.
- Enjoy maximum growth and flowering during the warm summer months.
With a little planning, you can appreciate heliotrope’s charms year-round as a delightful indoor or outdoor garden flower.
Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Heliotrope Indoors
Many indoor gardeners have questions when cultivating heliotrope for the first time. Here are helpful answers to some commonly asked questions:
What are the different heliotrope varieties I can grow indoors?
Popular indoor varieties include Cherry Pie, Fragrant Delight, Marine, Scented Lilac and Violette. Look for types described as having a mounded habit ideal for containers.
How long do indoor heliotrope plants bloom?
With proper care, indoor heliotrope will bloom continually from late spring through fall. Plants grown outdoors have a shorter bloom period from early summer into fall. Remove faded blooms to encourage more flowering.
Should I prune back my potted heliotrope?
Pruning is beneficial to shape overgrown plants and remove dead or damaged growth. Lightly trim plants in early spring to remove a few old stems down to just above healthy buds. This stimulates bushy new growth.
What type of soil does heliotrope need indoors?
A good quality commercial potting mix works best. It will have ingredients like peat moss, compost, vermiculite and perlite. Don’t use garden soil which may be too heavy.
How close should I place heliotrope plants to a window?
Heliotrope needs very bright light. Situate plants right next to a sunny south or west-facing window. Turn the pots regularly so all sides get sufficient sunlight for best growth and flowering.
Can I grow heliotrope on my enclosed porch?
An enclosed patio or sunny porch can be an excellent spot for heliotrope. Make sure temperatures do not get too cold in winter. Provide adequate sunlight and airflow. Fertilize and water regularly.
With its delightful scent and colorful blooms, heliotrope is a wonderful plant to cultivate indoors. Follow these tips to successfully grow this beauty and enjoy its fragrance in your home.
Conclusion
Heliotrope is a treasure for indoor gardens, imparting lovely color, elegant form and sweet fragrance. Though traditionally an outdoor plant, many varieties thrive equally well inside. Provide ample light, maintain ideal temperatures around 65-75°F, keep humidity moderate and use well-draining potting mix. Water thoroughly when the soil surface is partly dry and fertilize regularly. With attentive care, your heliotrope will flourish indoors and perfume the air with its delightful scent. This guide covers how to select the best varieties, provide optimal growing conditions, plant and care for heliotrope, and solve common problems. Follow the tips outlined here to successfully grow this beautiful flower indoors and enjoy its beauty and fragrance in your home.