Balloon flowers are clump-forming perennials and members of the easy-to-growbellflowerfamily of plants although the blooms do not resemble bells.
Instead, puffy, balloon-like buds swell up to produce the 2- to 3-inch star-shaped blue-violet flowers.
Balloon flowers will thrive in just about any condition, except in especially hot environments.
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This plant prefers rich soil, full sun, and temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Balloon Flower Care
Here are the basic needs to grow balloon flowers.
Soil
Balloon flowers prefer organically rich, loamy soil that has good drainage.
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They dont grow well in dense soil, such as clay.
They like asoil pHin the 5.5 to 7.5 range.
Water
Keep the soil of young plants consistently moist but not soggy.
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However, they can withstand higher temperatures with some afternoon shade.
Frost kills young plants and causes established plants to die back into the ground in the fall.
Balloon flowers tolerate both humid and dry air conditions, provided they have the right amount of soil moisture.
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Fertilizer
Balloon flowers typically don’t need supplemental feeding if you have rich soil.
But a layer ofcompostin the fall can help them replenish the energy they expend blooming during the growing season.
If you have poor soil, use an all-purpose, slow-releasefertilizerin early spring.
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To achieve stockier plants, you might cut back tall stems by about half in the late spring.
This can help to prevent the plants from flopping over.
Propagating by division is generally not recommended for balloon flowers because the deep taproots do not like being disturbed.
Instead, propagate this pant by takingstem cuttings.
A container that is 10 to 12 inches deep would work well.
you might also grow balloon flowers as houseplants and use them in indoor container gardens.
Put balloon flowers in a rich potting mix and a cool and bright spot to watch them bloom.
Crown and root rot may cause plants to die over the winter.
Leaves presenting powdery spots, mottling, or blotching can usually be treated with a fungicide.
In subsequent years, the plant will bloom beginning in late spring and last through the summer.
What Do Ballon Flowers Look and Smell Like?
This easy-growing plant blooms intense blue-violet flowers, but there are also cultivars with white and pink blooms.
The unopened flower buds resemble little hot air balloons, which is how the plant got its common name.
Use an all-purpose, slow-release fertilizer in the early spring if you have poor soil.
Don’t remove the whole stem, just the faded flowers.
The remaining buds on the stem will continue to open.
But always look out for signs of distress.
Shriveling Buds
Buds that shrivel up are also sparked by overwatering.
They will rebound and grow back thicker.
Balloon flowers are hardy perennials that grow back every year.
These perennials will self-sow their seed, though they aren’t considered aggressive spreaders.
However, they may not flower well until their second year, when they will begin multiplying.
you’re able to deadhead balloon flowers when they fade.
Deadheading is not necessary but it may encourage more blooms.
Gray mold in the flower garden.
University of Minnesota Extension.
Balloon Plant, Gomphocarpus physocarpus.
University of Wisconsin Extension.
