Germination temperature
About 20-21 °C (68-70 °F).
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Nemesia is a compact South African annual with bright, lipped flowers that loves cool, sunny weather. Sow the fine seed on the surface in warmth, then grow the seedlings cool for sturdy, free-flowering plants.
About 20-21 °C (68-70 °F).
On the surface, or under the thinnest layer of sand or vermiculite.
Quick in a warm tray; two to three weeks for cooler autumn sowings outdoors.
Full sun; afternoon shade helps in hot weather.
None needed.
Usually started in trays and transplanted after about four weeks.
The seed is small and light. Sow on a calm day or indoors, and mix it with a little dry sand if that helps you spread it evenly.
Not needed. The seed absorbs water readily.
Not needed. In its native Cape region nemesia germinates in autumn as temperatures fall, without any cold treatment.
Not needed. Wet, tiny seed clumps together and is hard to sow evenly.
Aim for 20-21 °C (68-70 °F), then lower the temperature as soon as seedlings appear; nemesia is a cool-weather plant from the start.
Scatter the seed on a levelled surface and press it in lightly. If you cover it at all, use only a thin layer of fine sand or vermiculite.
A fine, well-draining seed compost with a slightly acidic pH of about 5.5-6.2.
Water gently with a fine spray or from below so the seed is not washed together, and keep the surface just moist.
Light does not hurt germination and becomes essential once seedlings appear; weak light makes them stretch.
Seedlings come up quickly in a steady 20-21 °C tray. Outdoors in autumn SANBI expects them within two to three weeks.
Prick out or pot on when the seedlings can be handled; in plug trays they are ready after about four weeks.
After germination drop the temperature: days about 16-18 °C (60-65 °F) and nights 13-16 °C (55-60 °F). Cool growing gives short, bushy plants; about 13 °C (55 °F) is the optimum.
Plant out after frost in a sunny spot, fairly close together for a full display. Plants reach 15-30 cm (6-12 in), occasionally 40 cm (16 in), and flower roughly two months after transplanting.
Cause: too warm and too little light after germination. Fix: move seedlings to bright light and cooler conditions as soon as they emerge.
Cause: heat. Nemesia prefers cool to moderate temperatures. Fix: in hot climates grow it in the cool season, give afternoon shade, and resow for a second flush when weather cools.
Cause: root rot in poorly drained soil. Fix: use free-draining soil or pots with drainage holes and avoid overwatering.
Cause: plants setting seed and getting straggly. Fix: cut back faded flower stems to stimulate new flowers and pinch shoot tips to keep plants bushy.
In temperate gardens nemesia flowers from late spring until the first frost. In tropical and subtropical climates, including the Indian plains, treat it as a winter annual: sow as temperatures fall after the monsoon. In cool hill areas spring sowing also works.
Moist but well-drained loam or sand with a pH of about 6.0-8.0. Loosen compacted beds and work in well-rotted compost before planting.
Nemesia's compact habit suits pots, window boxes and edging; group plants closely for a carpet of colour.
Sow nemesia in the cool season for compact plants covered in bright flowers.
Hardly at all. Sow it on the surface and press it in, or cover it with only a thin layer of fine sand or vermiculite.
Nemesia comes from the cool South African Cape and dies back in summer heat. In hot climates grow it through the cool months instead.
Seed-raised nemesia is grown as an annual. In frost-free areas it behaves as a winter annual, flowering through the cool season.
Most bedding nemesias reach 15-30 cm (6-12 in) tall and about as wide; wild Nemesia strumosa can reach 40 cm (16 in). Plant them close together so the flowers form a continuous carpet.