Mazus Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners
Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 28th Oct 2023
In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Mazus plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.
- Plant Characteristics: Mazus has vibrant flowers that spread elegantly across the ground. Its mat-forming nature is perfect for ground cover and for adding splashes of color to the garden.
- Ideal Growing Conditions: This plant appreciates a well-draining soil and thrives in full sun to partial shade. Ensure consistent moisture, especially in warmer climates.
- General Care: Regularly water plants, but avoid waterlogging. Thinning out dense plant patches can both encourage healthy growth and prevent disease.
- Tips for New Gardeners: Creeping mazus is ideal for those starting their gardening journey. It is resilient and quickly establishes itself. Be aware of overgrowth and spread, and control as necessary.
Mazus, Creeping Mazus: Cultivation & Garden Use
Mazus are low growing woodland perennials that reach a height of between two to four inches (5 and 10 cm).
This makes them ideal for use in rock gardens, or for using as ground cover.
They flower in spring or summer depending upon the Mazus plant variety.
When in bloom, they carry tubular flowers of white or blue.
Miquel's Mazus (Mazus miquelii) photograph by Tanaka Juuyoh.
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Mazus Plant Growing and Care Guide
Common Names: Mazus, Creeping Mazus, Cupflower.Life Cycle: Hardy perennial
Height: 1 to 5 inches (2. 5 to 12 cm).
Native: East Asia. Australasia.
Growing Region: Zones 5 to 9.
Flowers: Species dependent: Spring and/or summer.
Flower Details: White, blue, violet; sometimes leopard spotted. Tubular. Two lipped. Orchid-like.
Foliage: Herbaceous. Evergreen in warmer areas. Green, may turn red in the winter. Simple.
Grow Outside: Grow from divided or nursery bought plants. Plant divided plants in the spring. Plants bought at gardening centers can be planted in either spring or autumn. Spacing 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 cm).
Requirements and care: Full sunlight (cool areas only) or full and partial shade.
Moist soil, Peat soil. Spring and winter mulch. Propagate: by dividing in the spring.
Miscellaneous: Often grown as ground cover in areas where deer are a pest. Spreads extremely quickly.
How to Grow Mazus Plants
It is best to grow Mazus from divided Mazus plants in the spring or from plants bought from a garden center. Purchased Mazus plants can be put out in the spring or autumn at about 25 cm (10 inches) apart.
Mazus should be grown in a shady or partially shaded part of the garden, that has a cool, and moist peaty soil.
Caring for Mazus Plants
Once established, it is important to keep the soil that Mazus is growing in moist.
It is best to supply mulch in the spring and winter. If you require more plants it is best to propagate by division in the springtime.
Common Questions
How many members does the Mazus genus have?
The Mazus genus consists of 30 species.
Do members of Mazus make a good garden or landscaping plant?
Yes, Mazus reptans is an excellent ground cover, especially for damp areas or between stepping stones. It produces beautiful tiny flowers in spring and summer.
Which Mazus species are most frequently grown by gardeners?
Mazus reptans is the species most commonly grown by gardeners. Its attractive, tiny flowers and its use as ground cover make it a popular choice.
Are members of the Mazus plant genus fragrant?
Members of the Mazus genus, including Mazus reptans, are not typically noted for their fragrance.
What is the perfect location to grow Mazus?
Mazus reptans prefers a location with full sun to partial shade, and consistently moist, well-drained soil.
Is Mazus invasive in the USA, if so in which states?
As of now, Mazus reptans is not considered invasive in the USA.
How do I remove Mazus plants from my garden?
Mazus reptans can be removed by hand-pulling or using a garden hoe. As it is a ground cover plant, ensure all the roots are removed to prevent regrowth.
Summary
The Mazus genus is a group of herbaceous plants in the Phrymaceae family. With petite flowers and a creeping growth habit, they are commonly used as ground covers or in rock gardens.
Mazus plants thrive in full sun to partial shade and in well-drained soil. Spring is the best time for planting, ensuring adequate watering without waterlogging. They are reasonably easy to grow and maintain, with minimal care requirements.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Mazus plants. You may also enjoy my gardening guides on how to grow Aglaonema commutatum, Quercus ilex, and Gaultheria plants.
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