How to Grow and Care for Angelonia

The charm of snapdragons in a garden is strong but fleeting because they are cool-weather annuals that quickly fade when summer turns up the heat. However, angelonia (Angelonia angustifolia) is a lookalike that is ready to stand strong long after the last snapdragon has wilted. Grown as an annual in cooler climates, angelonia is a perennial in USDA cold hardiness zone 9 and higher. This plant requires full sun and moist, well-draining soil. Read on for our care guide.

How, When, and Where to Plant Angelonia

The easiest way to plant angelonia is to purchase bedding plants, which you'll find at nurseries and garden centers in the spring. Wait two or three weeks after the last frost because the plants need warm temperatures and lots of sun to prosper.

Plant angelonia in the center of any garden bed with rich soil and full sun exposure. With a maximum height of 2 feet, its spires won't tower over other plants. Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart. Angelonia also makes an excellent thriller in a container with other plants that also thrive in full sun and moist soil.

Angelonia Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing angelonia:

• Plant it in a location with full sun and well-draining soil.
• Water plants until established and in extended dry periods.
• Fertilize lightly at the beginning of the season.
• Pinch young plants to encourage bushier growth.

Light

Plant angelonia in full sun to provide the energy it needs to bloom continuously. Plants that don't receive at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight will grow tall and leggy with fewer blooms.

Soil

Angelonia tolerates a wide variety of soils but prefers a soil pH of 5.5 to 6.2. Soil rich in organic matter will reduce watering and fertilizing chores. Plants need good drainage to prevent root rot. If the garden soil is heavy clay, consider amending the soil to improve its tilth or grow angelonia in a raised bed or container.

Water

Water young plants regularly to keep the soil evenly moist. Established angelonia will keep blooming through short periods of drought. Water when the top few inches of soil feel dry. Mulch around the plant to preserve soil moisture.

Temperature and Humidity

Angelonia thrives in hot summer weather and high humidity. They thrive in the deep South where sultry conditions dominate. Angelonia also fares well in the Southwest with a little extra watering.

Fertilizer

Angelonia is a light feeder that does not need a lot of fertilizer; overfertilization will cause an overgrowth of foliage at the expense of flowers. Feed plants with a light dose of granular flower fertilizer at planting time, which is sufficient for the entire season. For the amount to use, follow the product label instructions.

Types of Angelonia

Here are several varieties of angelonia to consider growing:

• 'Angelface® Cascade Blue' has both height and a cascading habit, giving it a dual role in containers.
• The 'AngelMist®' series serves as a groundcover, reaching only four to ten inches tall but spreading up to 20 inches.
• Angelonia 'Serena' and 'Serenita' are the only varieties available to consumers as seeds.

Pruning

Unlike many annuals, angelonia does not require deadheading to promote blooming. However, pinching the plants when they're young promotes bushier growth.

Propagating

Angelonia is easy to propagate via stem cuttings. Here's how:

1. Using a sharp knife, take a three-inch clipping from the tip of an angelonia stem. Choose a cutting without flowers.
2. Strip all but the top pair of leaves from the cutting because the stem cannot support the extra leaves without a root system.
3. Fill a small pot with soilless potting mix. With a pencil or finger, make a small hole in the soil.
4. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone and insert it into moist potting soil.
5. Keep the soil moist.
6. When new leaves begin to form, it's ready to transplant into your garden.

Growing From Seeds

Angelonia seeds are very fine and difficult to handle, so look for pelleted seed, which is easier to handle. The clay coating dissolves after planting. Here's how to grow angelonia from seed:

1. Start angelonia seeds indoors about six weeks before the last frost.
2. Press them into a sterile potting soil, but don't cover the seeds because light aids germination.
3. Keep seeds moist, and provide bright light and a temperature between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Germination will occur in one to three weeks.
5. Space seedlings eight inches apart in the garden.

Potting and Repotting

The constant blooms and tidy, self-cleaning habit of angelonia plants make them ideal for growing in containers. Take advantage of angelonia's appeal to butterflies and hummingbirds with some pool or patio planters. Large containers, at least 18 inches in diameter, won't dry out as fast as smaller containers.

Pot up your angelonia plants in late spring when evening temperatures are warm. Use a commercial potting soil, which will provide the right acidity and drainage. Angelonia has a small root system and won't need repotting when grown as an annual. Repot overwintered plants in the spring to refresh the growing medium.

Overwintering

In cooler climates, angelonia is usually grown as an annual but you can also overwinter container plants indoors. When the nighttime temperatures drop below 60°F, bring it inside. Place it near a window where the plant receives bright, direct light and the room temperature is consistently cool, around 65°F. Keep the soil moist by watering it about once a week. When the spring nighttime temperatures are back up in the lower 60°F range, move the plant outdoors.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

Aphids can be a problem on angelonia, especially early in the season when plants are in their rapid growth phase. A light misting of insecticidal soap twice a week will knock the pests out before they get a chance to deform your plants.

The plant is also susceptible to powdery mildew.

How to Get Angelonia to Bloom

The tough nature and long bloom period of angelonia makes it a staple in summer flower beds and containers.

Bloom Months

Angelonia blooms in the summer.

What Do Angelonia Blooms Look and Smell Like?

Clusters of tiny, orchid-like flowers bloom in white, pink, mauve, violet, or purple racemes at the tips of strong stems covered in narrow green leaves. The fruity scent of angelonia is a bonus and is especially strong on warm summer evenings. Its fragrance and nectar-rich flowers attract pollinators to a sunny garden.

How to Encourage More Bloom

Make sure your angelonia has plenty of sunlight. They need at least six hours of direct sun per day.

Deadheading

These low-maintenance plants do not requiredeadheadingand will greet you with blooms for many weeks.

Common Growing Problems

Yellowing Leaves

Yellowing leaves on your angelonia can often be due to a water problem, either too much or too little. Make sure not to waterlog your plant and let the soil dry out slightly between waterings.

Dropping Leaves

Leaf drop can be indicative of distress. Make sure your plant is getting enough water, light, and that the soil is draining properly.

From: thespruce