How to Grow Nemesia
Smothered in masses of fragrant, colourful flowers all summer long, Nemesia are perfect for
pots and small spaces. These compact, bushy plants are easy to grow and very low maintenance, giving months of enjoyment in your garden.
When your plants arrive
-
Unpack your plants immediately and check the compost to ensure it has not dried out in
transit. Water with a fine spray, or sit the plants in a tray of shallow water if the compost is
dry. -
Pot on plants as soon as possible (preferably within 24 hours) after they have had time to
settle.
Potting on and planting out plug plants
- Handle each plant by the plug root ball, rather than the stem to avoid damage.
-
Pot each plug into a 7.5cm (3in) pot using a good multi-purpose compost or a
container compost. -
Grow on for a few weeks in a greenhouse or a bright, frost-free place, but avoid
direct sunlight. -
Keep moist but do not over-water. If very cold weather is forecast, cover with a layer
of fleece. -
Once there is no more danger of frost, the plants can be moved to their permanent
position. -
Harden off your plants before planting them out by placing the pots outside during
the day and bringing them back in at night. After 7-10 days, the plants will be ready
to plant out.
How to care for Nemesia
-
Nemesia need a well-drained soil in full sun to do well. If planting in a container,
place the container on pot feet to raise it off the ground slightly. Use a good
multipurpose compost and add perlite to improve drainage. -
Water in dry periods, but don’t overwater, as nemesia are prone to root rot in wet
soil. - Once the flowers appear, feed container-grown nemesia fortnightly with a highpotash liquid fertiliser like tomato feed.
- Trim off faded flowers to keep the plant looking tidy and encourage further flowers.
How to overwinter Nemesia
- Although Nemesia are short-lived perennials, they are not hardy, so are often grown as
annuals in the UK. However, they can be overwintered by moving them to a bright, frostfree, relatively cool place as a greenhouse or conservatory. Water very sparingly in winter to
avoid root rot.
Pests and Diseases
Nemesia may be prone to the following pests and diseases. Read more about how to control
common plant pests and diseases here.
Pests
- Aphids
Diseases
- Generally disease-free
