Wallflower Nemesia Plant Care
Nemesia cheiranthus E.Mey. ex Benth.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Nemesia cheiranthus, also known as the long-eared nemesia, is an annual plant native to South Africa, with white and yellow flowers, occasionally with purple markings. The upper petals are long and thin, and there are two typically orange bulbous protuberances on the otherwise yellow lower lip, which may be centrally indented.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Wallflower Nemesia?
Plant Wallflower Nemesia in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 3–5 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Wallflower Nemesia Native To?
What Is the Wallflower Nemesia?
Wallflower Nemesia (Nemesia cheiranthus) belongs to the Scrophulariaceae family within the Nemesia genus. Wallflower Nemesia is native to South Africa, with white and yellow flowers, occasionally with purple markings.
Wallflower Nemesia displays a low, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Wallflower Nemesia produces small, tubular flowers in various colors like pink, purple, white, or yellow.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Wallflower Nemesia?
Water a young or newly planted Wallflower Nemesia every 3–5 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.
Watering Frequency
Every 3–5 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Wallflower Nemesia Need?
Wallflower Nemesia thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Wallflower Nemesia Prefer?
Nemesia cheiranthus tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Wallflower Nemesia prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Wallflower Nemesia?
Well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Wallflower Nemesia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Wallflower Nemesia?
Feed Wallflower Nemesia every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.
Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Wallflower Nemesia?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Wallflower Nemesia is suited to USDA Zone 12a.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Wallflower Nemesia?
Wallflower Nemesia can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.
Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Wallflower Nemesia?
Prune Wallflower Nemesia while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.
If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.
How Do You Care for a Wallflower Nemesia in Winter?
Wallflower Nemesia is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.
How Do You Propagate a Wallflower Nemesia?
Wallflower Nemesia can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to blue nemesia plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Wallflower Nemesia Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Wallflower Nemesia, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Wallflower Nemesia?
Wallflower Nemesia is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Wallflower Nemesia Need?
Wallflower Nemesia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Wallflower Nemesia is native to South Africa, with white and yellow flowers, occasionally with purple markings. In cooler regions, grow Wallflower Nemesia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Wallflower Nemesia is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Nemesia genus — compare its care with other Nemesia species on PlantoScan.
Nemesia is part of the Scrophulariaceae plant family — browse all Scrophulariaceae genera and species.
Wallflower Nemesia thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Nemesia Species
Other Nemesia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Nemesia cheiranthus E.Mey. ex Benth., family Scrophulariaceae (first published in Compan. Bot. Mag. 2: 19 (1836)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Wallflower Nemesia, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
