Japanese Bellflower Plant Care

Japanese Bellflower (Scopolia japonica) belongs to the Solanaceae family within the Scopolia genus. Japanese Bellflower is also known as Japanese Scopolia.

Japanese Bellflower displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Japanese Bellflower produces small bell-shaped purple flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Japanese Bellflower every 7–10 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.

Japanese Bellflower thrives in partial shade to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Japanese Bellflower in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Scopolia japonica tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Japanese Bellflower prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Japanese Bellflower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Japanese Bellflower 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.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with partial shade to full shade and moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Japanese Bellflower 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.

Japanese Bellflower can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 2 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.

Prune Japanese Bellflower 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.

Japanese Bellflower 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.

Japanese Bellflower can be propagated through seeds, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to carniolan bellflower plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Japanese Bellflower is susceptible to aphids, cabbage worms, flea beetles. 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.

Japanese Bellflower grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Japanese Bellflower as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.