Heliotropium arborescens aka Garden Heliotrope

Taxonomy

Heliotropium arborescens, also known as the garden heliotrope, is a species of flowering plant in the borage family Boraginaceae. It is native to Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru and is characterized by its dense clusters of bright purple flowers that emit a strong vanilla-like fragrance. It can grow up to 1.2m tall and is an evergreen, short-lived shrub. Other common names for this plant include cherry pie and common heliotrope. It also goes by the names Mary Fox and White Queen and is a popular choice for cottage gardens. While it is hardy to grow in zones 9 to 11, it is considered an economically damaging invasive species in Australia. There are also varieties of heliotrope with much more compact growth, reaching only about 10 inches in height. The plant flowers with small star-shaped flowers that come in shades of blue, purple, white, or lavender. Heliotropium arborescens is a super rare houseplant that is easy to grow, and it needs regular watering to thrive. It does best in long-lasting, direct light and should be less than 1 foot from a window. The plant prefers soil that is well-draining and is part of the Heliotropium genus. Its native habitat is Western South America. Note that the common name "garden heliotrope" may also refer to valerian, which is not closely related.

Common names

Garden Heliotrope, Cherry Pie, Heliotrope

How to care for Garden Heliotrope

Difficulty

Garden Heliotrope requires a bit more attention and knowledge to thrive, making it a suitable plant for those with some gardening experience.

Water

Garden Heliotrope should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Garden Heliotrope loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Garden Heliotrope requires abundant, bright and direct light. Placing it less than one foot from a window is the best way to make sure the plant receives enough light to survive and thrive. Depending on your region, however, the current weather can affect the placement of the plant in your home. For example, in some areas the sun may be too direct and intense, so it's best to place it farther away from the window. You may also need to adjust your placement according to the season as the sunlight can change intensity over the course of the year. If you live in a region with significant temperature fluctuations, such as a desert, you may need to place the plant a bit farther away from the window to avoid extreme heat or cold. With some care and attention, your Garden Heliotrope will be sure to bring you many years of beauty and enjoyment.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Garden Heliotrope to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more during this period.

Toxicity

Garden Heliotrope is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Region of origin

Garden Heliotrope’s native range is S. America - Peru.


More info:
Wikipedia