How to Grow Nemesia
Nemesia strumosa
When to Start
Sow indoors 7 weeks before last frost, or direct sow outdoors after frost risk has passed and soil reaches 10°C.
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Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Balanced liquid feed every two weeks. Light feeder — avoid overfeeding which promotes leggy growth at the expense of flowers.
- Wonderfully fragrant bedding plant with bicoloured flowers in a huge range of colours. Thrives in cool conditions — perfect for UK spring and autumn. May stop flowering in hot spells but recovers when temperatures drop. Excellent for containers, window boxes, and bed edges.
Companion Planting
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Growing Conditions
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- Sow indoors
- —
- Transplant out
- —
- First harvest
- —
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Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 15 cm |
| Row spacing | 20 cm |
| Mature height | 25 cm |
| Mature spread | 20 cm |
For compact bedding varieties. Creates a dense, fragrant carpet of colour at this spacing.
Care Guide
- Feeding
- Balanced liquid feed every two weeks. Light feeder — avoid overfeeding which promotes leggy growth at the expense of flowers.
- Watch for
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- Aphids
- Dislikes heat above 25°C
- Generally trouble-free in cool conditions
Pests & Diseases
Pest Aphids
Identification: Clusters of small green insects on shoot tips, sticky honeydew, distorted growth
- Blast off with water
- Soft soap spray
- Encourage ladybirds
- Pyrethrum-based contact insecticide
Disease Grey Mould (Botrytis) Botrytis cinerea
Symptoms: Fluffy grey mould on stems and flowers, especially in cool damp conditions. Plants rot from the base.
Treatment: Remove affected growth. Improve air circulation. Reduce overhead watering.
Prevention: Space plants for airflow. Avoid wetting foliage. Remove dead flowers and leaves promptly.
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 10°C |
| Base growth temperature | 7°C |
| Min. daylength to start | 10h |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | day neutral |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Nemesia?
- Plant Nemesia 15cm apart with 20cm between rows.
- When does Nemesia flower?
- Nemesia typically flowers approximately 40 days after transplanting.
- Is Nemesia frost hardy?
- Nemesia is classified as Half Hardy.
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