The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Baby’s breath(Gypsophilaspp.)
These plants grow best in temperate areas in full sunlight and well-drained soil that is not acidic.
Hardy down to USDA zone 3, baby’s breath tolerates quite cold temperatures.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Keep in mind that baby’s breath can be mildly toxic to humans and pets.
Baby’s Breath Care
Babys breath generally requires very little maintenance.
It is also considered a noxious weed in both California, Washington, and Canada.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
But they will tolerate a bit of shade, especially from the hot afternoon sun.
However, too much shade will result in leggy plants and poor flowering.
Sandy soil works well, whereas wet clay soil does not.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
So if your soil is heavy, consider planting baby’s breath inraised garden bedsor containers.
Water
Babys breath has low water needs and thrives in dry soil.
Keep the soil moderately moist for young plants.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
You typically wont have to water established plants unless you have an extended period of drought.
Overwatering can cause root rot and kill the plant.
Temperature and Humidity
Babys breath can tolerate a range of temperatures within its growing zones.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Some species have more cold tolerance than others.
These plants prefer a dry climate over a humid one.
Fertilizer
These plants arent heavy feeders, and too much fertilizer can cause floppy growth.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
To promote healthy growth and profuse blooms, simply work somecompostinto the planting site every spring.
The plant will come back in the spring.
Although it is a cold hardy plant, potted baby’s breath cannot handle freezing temperatures.
Relocate the container to a spot in the ground or place it inside a larger container.
When the root systems have matured, repot baby’s breath using fresh potting soil.
The best time to do this is in the spring.
Overwintering
Baby’s breath is a cold hardy plant that can tolerate cold temperatures.
Common Pest & Plant Diseases
Baby’s breath has a few issues with pests and diseases.
Pests for this plant includeaphids, leafhoppers, Japanese beetles, slugs, and rabbits.
You might notice discolored leaves or holes in the leaves, which are an indication of a pest problem.
There arenon-chemical waysyou can control some of these pests, such as a citrus spray or soap spray.
Common diseases for baby’s breath include fungal infections and root rot, which can be triggered by overwatering.
The plant will come back each spring and rebloom every year.
What Do Baby’s Breath Flowers Look and Smell Like?
Freshly picked baby’s breath will last up to eight to 10 days in a vase with fresh water.
With over 100 species, baby’s breath offers both annuals and perennials.
The perennial plants come up every year, and the flowers come in pink and white colors.
Annuals may potentially self-seed themselves and return the following year.
Baby’s Breath.Animal Poison Control Center.
Gypsophila paniculata.North Carolina State University Extension.
Gypsophila paniculata (baby’s breath).CABI Invasive Species Compendium.
