Grown as an annual in cooler climates, angelonia is a perennial inUSDA cold hardiness zone9 and higher.
This plant requires full sun and moist, well-draining soil.
Read on for our care guide.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Plant angelonia in the center of any garden bed with rich soil and full sun exposure.
With a maximum height of 2 feet, its spires won’t tower over other plants.
Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Angelonia also makes an excellent thriller in acontainer with other plantsthat also thrive in full sun and moist soil.
Soil
Angelonia tolerates a wide variety of soils but prefers asoil pHof 5.5 to 6.2.
Soilrich in organic matterwill reduce watering and fertilizing chores.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Plants need good drainage to prevent root rot.
Water
Water young plants regularly to keep the soil evenly moist.
Established angelonia will keep blooming through shortperiods of drought.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Water when the top few inches of soil feel dry.
Mulch around the plant to preserve soil moisture.
Temperature and Humidity
Angelonia thrives in hot summer weather and high humidity.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
They thrive in the deep South where sultry conditions dominate.
Angelonia also fares well in the Southwest with a little extra watering.
Feed plants with a light dose of granularflower fertilizerat planting time, which is sufficient for the entire season.
Angelonia Serena LavenderWelcome to buy my photos / Getty Images
For the amount to use, follow the product label instructions.
However,pinching the plantswhen they’re young promotes bushier growth.
Propagating
Angelonia is easy to propagate via stem cuttings.
Angelonia SerenitaSuriyaDesatit / Getty Images
The clay coating dissolves after planting.
Take advantage of angelonia’s appeal tobutterflies and hummingbirdswith some pool or patio planters.
Large containers, at least 18 inches in diameter, won’t dry out as fast as smaller containers.
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Pot up your angelonia plants in late spring when evening temperatures are warm.
Use a commercialpotting soil, which will provide the right acidity and drainage.
Angelonia has a small root system and won’t need repotting when grown as an annual.
Repot overwintered plants in the spring to refresh the growing medium.
When the nighttime temperatures drop below 60F, bring it inside.
Keep the soil moist by watering it about once a week.
When the spring nighttime temperatures are back up in the lower 60F range, move the plant outdoors.
The plant is also susceptible to powdery mildew.
Bloom Months
Angelonia blooms in the summer.
What Do Angelonia Blooms Look and Smell Like?
The fruity scent of angelonia is a bonus and is especially strong on warm summer evenings.
Its fragrance and nectar-rich flowers attract pollinators to a sunny garden.
How to Encourage More Bloom
ensure your angelonia has plenty of sunlight.
They need at least six hours of direct sun per day.
Deadheading
These low-maintenance plants do not require deadheading and will greet you with blooms for many weeks.
confirm not to waterlog your plant and let the soil dry out slightly between waterings.
Dropping Leaves
Leaf drop can be indicative of distress.
ensure your plant is getting enough water, light, and that the soil is draining properly.
The two plants aren’t in the same genus.
The plant is native to Mexico and the West Indies.
Angelonia is a tender perennial that only survives winters in warm to hot climates.
In the cooler USDA cold hardiness zones, it is grown as an annual.
North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension.
