Cheiranthus Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners

Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 22nd Nov 2023

In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Cheiranthus plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.

At a Glance: Cheiranthus

Plant Characteristics: Cheiranthus, known for its vibrant, fragrant flowers, adds a splash of color to gardens. Its compact size makes it ideal for borders and containers, attracting a variety of pollinators.
Ideal Growing Conditions: These plants thrive in well-drained soil and full sun. They are drought-tolerant once established, making them suitable for sunny and dry areas.
General Care: Regular deadheading promotes continuous blooming. Water moderately, especially during prolonged dry periods to maintain health and vibrancy.
Tips for New Gardeners: Wallflowers are beginner-friendly due to their low maintenance requirements. They benefit from occasional fertilization and consistent sun exposure. Be mindful of snails and slugs, which can be attracted to young plants.

Wallflower, and Gillyflower: Cultivation & Garden Use

Cheiranthus is a hardy perennial, but is usually grown as an hardy annual or biannual by gardeners.

The Cheiranthus plant is also known as the Wallflower or Gillyflower.

Wallflowers
Wallflowers by Garryknight.

Cheiranthus members can vary in height from 15 to 80 cm (6 to 32 inches) in height.

It has blossoms that cover all of its stalks, and flowers from the late spring to early autumn.

Cheiranthus cheiri
Cheiranthus cheiri photograph by Manuel M. Ramos.

The Cheiranthus plant genus is placed in the Erysimum genus by botanists nowadays, but the name is still in common use by gardeners.

Commonly Grown Cheiranthus Species Photographs and Plant Identification

Cheiranthus cheiri

Cheiranthus cheiri syn. Cheiranthus allionii syn. Erysimum cheiri.

Cheiranthus cheiri
Cheiranthus cheiri (Wallflower), picture by Biodiversity Heritage Library; CC.

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Cheiranthus Growing and Care Guide

Common Names: Wallflower, Gillyflower.
Life Cycle: Hardy perennial usually grown as a hardy annual or biennial by gardeners.
Height: 6 to 30 inches (15 to 75 cm).
Native: Asia, Europe, Mediterranean, North and Central America.
Growing Region: Annuals: Zones 5 to 10. Grown as a perennial in zones 8 to 10.
Flowers: Late spring to early autumn.
Flower Details: Yellow, orange, pink, blue, purple many other colours and much morphology. Sweet scented.
Foliage: Silvery, purple. Evergreen.
Sow Outdoors: 1/4 inch (6 mm). Early spring or early autumn, with the exception of biennials; these should be sown out from the middle of summer to early autumn. Spacing 6 to 18 inches (15 to 45 cm).
Sow Indoors: Use vermiculite. Water from below. Germination time: one to three weeks. Temperature 65 to 75°F (18 to 24°C). Nine or ten weeks in advance. Transplant annuals and perennials outdoors before the last frost; transplant biennials in the middle of summer.
Requirements: Full sunlight or light shade. Very good drainage. Ordinary soil. Soil pH 7. Pinch tips. Water during dry periods. Propagate: cutting in spring.
Family: Brassicaceae.
Miscellaneous: Sometimes included in the Erysimum plant genus.

How to Grow Cheiranthus

If planning to grow Cheiranthus plants outdoors, then the seeds should be sown either in early spring or early autumn.

If treating as a hardy biennial, then they should be planted from the end of summer. Sow at a depth of 7 mm (1/4 inch).

They should be grown in a part of the garden that is sunny or partially shaded

Garden Wallflowers like to grow in a neutral or slightly limy soil. It should have good drainage.

When growing Cheiranthus seedlings from seeds indoors, they should be prepared about ten weeks before you plant them outdoors. Do so in the early spring or the middle of summer for biennials.

Cheiranthus plants should be spaced at about 15 cm (6 inches; small) to 30 to 40 cm apart ((12 to 16 inches; others).

Caring for wallflowers / Cheiranthus in the Garden

Once established, pinching back the tips will encourage the Garden wallflower plant to become more bushy.

If you are growing the plant as an hardy annual, then plants can readily be removed once they have finished flowering.

If you require more Cheiranthus plants for your garden, then you can take cuttings from wallflowers in late spring.

Common Questions

How many members does the Cheiranthus genus have?

The Cheiranthus genus consists of about 55 species.

Do members of Cheiranthus make a good garden or landscaping plant?

Yes, Cheiranthus species are valued for their fragrant, colorful flowers, especially Cheiranthus cheiri (Wallflower).

Which Cheiranthus species are most frequently grown by gardeners?

Cheiranthus cheiri (Wallflower) is popular due to its vibrant and fragrant blooms in spring.

Are members of the Cheiranthus plant genus fragrant?

Yes, Cheiranthus species, especially Wallflowers, are known for their sweet, potent fragrance.

What is the perfect location to grow Cheiranthus?

Cheiranthus prefers a sunny location with well-drained soil. It is a great choice for borders, cottage gardens, and rock gardens.

Is Cheiranthus invasive in the USA?

Currently, Cheiranthus species are not listed as invasive in the USA.

How do I remove Cheiranthus plants from my garden?

Remove Cheiranthus by uprooting the plant. Ensure all roots are removed to prevent regrowth.

Summary

The Cheiranthus genus, part of the Brassicaceae family, is native to Europe and Asia. They are often confused with the Erysimum genus, both commonly referred to as wallflowers. These perennials are admired for their fragrant, bright flowers that bloom in spring.

To cultivate Cheiranthus, plant them in a sunny location with well-drained soil. They can be grown from seeds sown in late spring to early summer. Regular watering is needed, but they are relatively drought-tolerant once established. Deadheading spent flowers can encourage more blooms.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Cheiranthus plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ Brassicaceae growing guides: How to grow Gold dust, Heliophila, Ionopsidium, and Aethionema plants.

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