Fan Flower Care

Scaevola plants prefer to be on the dry side, but they are not true xeriscape plants and so do need occasional watering. Plants growing in wet soil may attract fungus gnats, or may experience root rot. Wait until the soil surface is dry to water. Wilted plants will perk up quickly after irrigation.

Like most trailing annuals, scaevola benefits from a little snipping here and there to keep it tidy and to encourage the plant to grow in a branching habit, rather than developing long, lanky stems. Scaevola is self-cleaning and does not need to be deadheaded, but you can cut it back by half after the first big flush of blooms to encourage new growth and spur even more flowering.

Accustomed to the lean growing conditions of its native Australia, scaevola plants require only a light feeding. Choose a balanced flower fertilizer low in phosphorus, which can cause flower and foliage discoloration. Apply the fertilizer once a month during the growing season.

Choose a site with full to partial sun for best scaevola performance. Plants in hot, dry desert areas may remain more pert when placed in a location with dappled shade.

Rich soil isn't necessary for thriving scaevola plants. While soil of average fertility is fine, good drainage is an important ingredient of healthy plant growth. When growing in the ground, amend heavy clay soils or use raised beds.

Scaevola plants grow vigorously in warm to hot weather. Temperatures below 60 degrees F will cause flowering to slow or stop. Temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees yield the happiest plants with compact growth, but hot temperatures are also well tolerated.

While scaevola is not an edible plant, it doesn't have any known toxic effects.

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