How to Grow Heliotrope and Key Points to Note

Heliotrope is a raw material often used to make scented cosmetics. Growing heliotrope is not only about realizing its ornamental value, but more importantly, it can generate greater economic benefits through heliotrope, which is what most growers hope for. However, before that, mastering some necessary techniques and methods is a solid foundation for achieving profitability.

How to grow heliotrope

Heliotrope likes light, and during cultivation it requires sufficient light; insufficient light will affect flowering. Heliotrope likes moisture and is also a fertilizer-loving flower, with a relatively high demand for water and fertilizer. The soil should mainly be loose, fertile sandy soil with good drainage.

Heliotrope cultivation methods and key points to note

1. Sunlight and temperature

Heliotrope likes sunlight and requires sufficient light. Insufficient light will cause poor growth and affect flowering. In winter, heliotrope needs to be placed in a sunny spot for care; in summer, heliotrope should be shaded, otherwise its leaves will be scorched and turn yellow; in spring and autumn, with sufficient light and more suitable temperatures, heliotrope can receive plenty of sunlight. The suitable temperature for heliotrope growth is between 15°C and 25°C. When the summer temperature exceeds 30°C, the plant will enter a semi-dormant state. In winter, it can continue flowering when the temperature is above 13°C, and the overwintering temperature should be above 5°C; around 0°C it will suffer frost damage. Therefore, in summer heliotrope should be cared for in a cool, ventilated place, and in winter it should be cared for indoors in a sunny and warm place.

2. Potting soil

For potted heliotrope, the soil can be loose, fertile soil with good drainage. Garden soil, compost soil, sandy soil and plant ash can be mixed to prepare the soil. During the seedling growth period, the pot can be changed 1 to 2 times to allow heliotrope to grow normally.

3. Water and fertilizer management

Heliotrope likes a moist growing environment. During the vigorous growth periods in spring and autumn, keep the potting soil moist and water once a day; in winter, control watering, and the potting soil must not be too moist, watering once every 2 to 3 days; in summer, water once in the morning and once in the evening to promote growth. As for fertilizing, heliotrope is relatively fond of fertilizer. One week after potting, topdressing can begin. During the growing period, apply a dilute liquid fertilizer once a week, and apply a compound chemical fertilizer once every 2--3 weeks; in the low-temperature winter and high-temperature summer, reduce fertilizing or stop topdressing.

4. Propagation methods

The propagation methods for heliotrope are mainly sowing and cuttings, with cuttings being the commonly used method.

5. Pruning and shaping

After heliotrope is transplanted into a pot, pinch off the growing tips in time, which can encourage more branching and more flowering. Pinching can also be done multiple times to control the plant shape of heliotrope.

6. Pests and diseases

As heliotrope grows, plant aging may occur, and it may be harmed by scale insects.

Heliotrope cutting propagation

Heliotrope is generally propagated by cuttings. The suitable period for cuttings is any time of the year, but spring and autumn cuttings give relatively better results.

Heliotrope cuttings can be done indoors, selecting young shoots of heliotrope for cuttings. Indoor cuttings are generally done from February to March. Select relatively robust young shoots from the upper part of the heliotrope plant, keep 2 to 4 stem nodes, cut the young shoots from the heliotrope plant, and make the cut smooth. Use the young shoots cut from heliotrope as cuttings. The leaves on the lower part of the cuttings need to be removed, and the stem should retain 2~3 leaves on the upper half of the young shoot.

Prepare a suitable cutting medium, generally using clean river sand for cuttings. Insert the heliotrope cuttings into the medium. Note that the cuttings only need to be inserted one third of the way into the sand. After cutting, press the sand gently, then water thoroughly, and provide appropriate shade. Maintain a certain level of humidity and temperature, and roots will form in about 3 weeks.

After heliotrope takes root, it can be transplanted into a pot. When it grows to about 7 or 8 cm, pinching can be carried out, and water and fertilizer management should be strengthened during care.

What to do if heliotrope leaves turn yellow

One cause of yellowing heliotrope leaves is the issue of dryness and moisture. Heliotrope likes a moist growing environment. During the vigorous growing season, the soil should be kept moist. If it is too dry or too wet, it will cause heliotrope leaves to turn yellow or even fall off. Therefore, when watering heliotrope, moisture needs to be controlled to avoid yellow leaves.

Yellowing heliotrope leaves may also be caused by factors such as light and temperature. Too high a temperature and overly strong light can easily cause heliotrope leaves to be scorched and withered yellow. Generally in summer, strong light and high temperatures can easily make heliotrope leaves wither and yellow, so heliotrope needs to be placed in a ventilated, cool place, with shading and cooling care.

Heliotrope may encounter various problems during cultivation, such as yellowing leaves, falling leaves, or insect infestation, and so on. All of these require us to discover them in time and solve the problems at the root. Therefore, growing heliotrope is not a very simple matter.