Can You Grow Nemesia in a Pot?
Annual plants really round out the spring and summer garden. They provide a real “pick-me-up” as you wait for perennials to come to full flower. Nemesia has blooms that resemble tiny snapdragons or lobelia blooms and come in many bright colors. Try using nemesia in planters, either en masse or mixed with other annuals. Keeping nemesia in a pot allows you to control where you use the plants and in high heat regions, makes it easy to move them at midday to a slightly cooler location. The bold colors and diminutive appeal of nemesia makes them standouts for the summer landscape. You can start seeds in late spring after the danger of frost has passed or indoors six weeks prior to planting out. Most garden centers offer these flowering plants already blooming and the price is worth it to enjoy their festive allure. Purchasing potted nemesia lets you enjoy the flowers from day one and they can be grown in a garden bed or container of your choice. Select a container with excellent drainage because nemesia plants like moisture but cannot abide boggy soil.
Care of Nemesia in Containers
Nemesia are native to South Africa and enjoy sun and warm weather, however, in desert heat, they will fail when temperatures are excessive. In its native region, nemesia grows with other plants in grasslands and will bloom just after summer rain. They lodge in cracks and rocky spaces where some moisture collects but drains away readily. To grow nemesia in a pot, use good potting soil mixed with a little sand, perlite, or vermiculite to encourage draining. The soil should be slightly acidic. If using garden soil, add compost and check the pH to ensure some acidity. Nemesia in planters requires six to seven hours per day of full sun. In warmer regions, they can perform well in partially sunny locations. Install plants even with the soil level and place mulch around the stems to keep soil cool and conserve moisture. Water container grown nemesia regularly when the soil feels dry to the touch. Fertilize once per month with diluted fish fertilizer or compost tea. As the flowers die, cut the plant back a bit and a new flush of growth will appear. If a frost threatens, cover pots or bring them indoors to avoid losing these captivating little plants.
