The vanilla flower, also called solstice or heliotrope, is a wonderfully fragrant eye-catcher for every garden or balcony. We introduce you to the most beautiful solstice species and show you how to properly plant and care for the South American beauty.
Vanilla flower: flowering time, origin and characteristics
The vanilla flower (Heliotropium arborescens) belongs to the borage family or borage family and has its origins in the Peruvian Andes. The flowering period of the vanilla flower is wonderfully long, up to five months, from May to September. The sun-loving vanilla flowers show an upright, dense growth and reach heights of 30 to 80 centimeters depending on the variety. Many small, five-petalled, mostly dark violet individual flowers form luxuriant umbels above elliptical, alternate, mostly dark green leaves. The leaves are wrinkled and slightly hairy. The vanilla flower is also known as the solstice because its leaves - like many species of the genus Heliotropium - always align with the sun and turn with the position of the sun. Another special feature of the vanilla flower, as the name suggests, is its intense vanilla scent.
The most beautiful solstice varieties
There are several varieties of the vanilla flower, which differ in the color of the flowers, the color of the leaves, the height of the plant and the smell of the flowers.
Here is a selection of the most beautiful Solstice varieties:
- ′Alba′: white flowers with a very intense vanilla scent
- ′Navy′: Dark purple to deep blue flowers; stocky growth: 30 - 40 cm
- ′Schloss Ahrensburg′: medium blue flowers; blooms very early; smallest variety: 30 cm
- ′Iowa′: Light purple flowers; Scent of gummy bears
- ′Aurea′: Light purple flowers; green-yellow foliage
Plant Heliotrope
Heliotropes can be planted in pots on the terrace or balcony as well as in beds - the main thing is that the location offers plenty of sun!
The perfect location for solstices
Solstices love the sun and should therefore be planted in a sunny spot. Even partially shaded locations are suitable, but the optimal development of the plant is achieved in direct sunlight. The perfect location is also protected as well as possible from wind and rain.
What do you have to consider when planting solstices in the bed?
Once you have found a sun-exposed spot in your bed, it is also important that the soil around the vanilla flower is humus-rich, fresh and well-drained. To ensure that the plant develops optimally even on slightly poorer soil, you can put some good potting soil, such as Plantura organic potting soil, in the planting hole. Before inserting, pull apart the root ball of the vanilla flower to stimulate root formation. Also, be careful not to plant the vanilla flower too deep. Immediately after planting, the vanilla flower is happy about plenty of water.
Vanilla flowers for the balcony: tips for planting in pots
Vanilla flowers also thrive in pots on the balcony or terrace. When planting, choose a sufficiently large planter so that the roots can develop well. In order to avoid waterlogging, there must be a drainage hole in the bottom of the container. So that this remains free, potsherds can be placed over it. Our peat-free Plantura organic potting soil is very suitable as a substrate. It offers the perfect conditions for strong growth and lush flowers during the solstices. The expanded clay it contains ensures balanced moisture and thus he althy root growth.
Caring for vanilla flowers
In addition to its claim to location, which you can easily tell from the name, the Solstice is relatively robust and easy to care for. Nevertheless, attention must be paid to the correct supply of water and nutrients.
Watering Solstices
The solstices should be watered daily. However, since the vanilla flower is sensitive to waterlogging, excess water must be able to drain away or seep away.
Fertilize solstices
In order to cover the nutrient requirements of the solstices, a monthly application of liquid fertilizer is recommended from April to September. Our purely organic Plantura organic flower & balcony fertilizer provides the fragrant vanilla flowers with all the important nutrients quickly and easily.
Cutting vanilla flowers
So that the vanilla flower keeps investing its energy in the formation of new, magnificent inflorescences, thedried flowers and plant parts are cut off. In the case of young plants that have been brought forward, it is also advisable to regularly pinch off the shoot tips. This stimulates tillering, making the plants bushier and not growing too tall. If necessary, you can cut back slightly in autumn before wintering.
Vanilla flowers over winter
Vanilla flowers are not hardy and do not tolerate temperatures below 5 °C. That doesn't mean you have to discard the plants after they've bloomed, though, because if solstices are overwintered in a sheltered spot, they'll bloom again in full bloom the following year. With the right care, the vanilla flower gets bigger and stronger from year to year. In autumn, before the first frosts, place the heliotrope in a wind-protected, dry and bright place. The temperature should be between 12 and 18 °C. The plant only needs to be watered a little during the winter months, fertilization is not required at all. In May, when the nights are frost-free, you can put the vanilla flower back on your balcony or in the garden.
Increase Solstices
On the one hand, the vanilla flower can be propagated by seeds. Sow from January to March in a bright, 18 to 22 °C warm room. The light is important because solstices are among the light germinators. Therefore, cover the seeds at most with a thin layer of substrate or only lightly press them down to establish contact with the ground. Germination requires a little patience: you have to wait 10 to 15 days for the seedlings. From mid-May, the pre-grown plants can then be placed outdoors.
Propagation via cuttings is also possible. To do this, cut cuttings about ten centimeters long from the plant in autumn or spring and place them in pots with potting soil. The cuttings develop roots and shoots within a few weeks and grow into new vanilla flowers.
Is the vanilla flower poisonous?
The vanilla flower is poisonous. Therefore, despite its tempting scent, it should not be consumed under any circumstances. The roots in particular, but also the parts of the plant above ground, contain poisonous pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which serve as secondary plant substances to protect against herbivores. The degradation products of the pyrrolizidine alkaloids can cause severe liver damage in high doses.
Is vanilla flower bee friendly?
Not only people fall for the beguilingScent of vanilla flower. Bees find a good supply of food in their numerous inflorescences and butterflies also like to settle on the blossoms of the vanilla flower.
If you want to make your garden bee-friendly and expand the food supply for insects, our Plantura bee pasture is ideal. Or have a look at our matching special article, which introduces you to many bee-friendly balcony plants.