Nolana Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners
Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 23rd Oct 2023
In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Nolana plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.
- Plant Characteristics: Nolana plants produce vibrant, funnel-shaped flowers and have trailing stems. Its blossoms and growth habit make it an excellent choice for hanging baskets and ground covers.
- Ideal Growing Conditions: Plants thrive in full sun and appreciates a sandy, well-draining soil. It can withstand coastal conditions as it is moderately salt-tolerant.
- General Care: While drought-tolerant once established, ensure regular watering during initial growth. Avoid overwatering, and provide light fertilization during the growing season.
- Tips for New Gardeners: The Chilean Bellflower is a relatively undemanding plant suitable for beginners. Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot. Look out for visiting aphids, simply remove them using a gentle water spray or insecticidal soap.
Chilean Bell Flower, Peruvian Bell Flower: Cultivation & Garden Use
Nolana plants are hardy annuals and perennial desert plants. They range in height from 20 to 90 cm (8 to 36 inches).
Commonly known as the Peruvian Bell Flower or Chilean Bellflower, these plants bloom in summer, carrying trumpet-like flowers. As the flowers may come in many colors, they have become the focus of scientific research into the genetics behind flower color.
Nolana mollis by Felipecancino; creative commons.
How to Grow Nolana Plants
Nolana genus plants prefer to grow in a sandy soil that has good drainage. Locate them in an area that has full sun exposure. Sow the seeds or plant seedlings in early spring. These seeds should be Sown at about 1/8 inch (3 mm) deep and spaced out at about 8-12 inches (20 to 30 cm) apart.
Nolana elegans (Blue flowers; the purple ones are Alstromeria) by Valerio Pillar; creative commons.
Nolana Plant Care
Water plants moderately, and allow the soil to dry out between watering. Plants are drought-tolerant, so don't over-water them. Provide them with a light fertilization in the growing season for best results.
-
Seed Success: Start Strong with this Ultimate Seed Starter Kit
Elevate your gardening game today by securing your Reusable Seed Starter Tray Kit. Get this must-have for any gardening enthusiast on Amazon and give your seedlings the head start they deserve. Embark on your journey to a bountiful harvest with confidence.
-
Garden Mastery: Unleash Your Potential with the Essential Tool Set
Boost your gardening with the CHRYZTAL Gardening Tool Set. Get this essential kit on Amazon for effortless gardening. A good set of tools is key to a thriving garden; make every cut count. Cultivate with ease and watch your garden flourish.
Nolana Plant Growing and Care Guide
Common Names: Chilean bell flowerLife Cycle: Hardy Annual. Half Hardy Perennial commonly grown as a Half Hardy Annual by gardeners.
Height: 8 to 36 inches (20 to 90 cm).
Native: South America.
Northern America: Zones 2 to 8. As a perennial in zones 9 to 10.
Flowers: Summer.
Flower Details: Blue, Purple, pink. Centers are usually white and veined yellow or purple. Trumpets.
Foliage: Lanceolate.
Sow Outside: Cover seed. Following the last frost. Spacing 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 cm).
Sow Inside: Best started outdoors. Use peat pots. Germination time: one week to one month. Temperature 65 to 70°F (18 to 21°C). Five or six weeks in advance. Transplant outdoors following the last frost.
Requirements: Full sunlight. Good drainage. Sandy soil. Gravel. Poor soils. Can survive in dry soils; is extremely drought tolerant.
Family: Solanaceae.
Miscellaneous: The lower surface of the leaves excretes salt. It uses this to trap moisture. This enables it to exist in extremely dry areas such as the Pan de Azucar.
Further Information on Nolana Plants
Research into the desert plant Nolana mollis can be found at the Holbrook lab.
Common Questions
How many members does the Nolana genus contain?
The Nolana genus contains about 90 species, known for their beautiful, bell-shaped flowers and trailing growth habit.
Do Nolana members make a good garden or landscaping plant?
Definitely! Nolana are excellent as groundcovers, for rock gardens, or trailing over walls. They're particularly useful in coastal gardens due to their salt tolerance.
Which Nolana species are most frequently grown by gardeners?
The most commonly grown species is Nolana paradoxa (Chilean bellflower), appreciated for its striking blue to violet flowers and ability to withstand seaside conditions.
Are Nolana plants fragrant?
Nolana flowers are not typically fragrant, but their vibrant colors make up for it, offering an excellent visual display in the garden.
What is the perfect location to grow Nolana?
Nolana prefer a sunny location with well-drained, sandy soil. They are tolerant of drought and seaside conditions, making them great for challenging sites.
Is Nolana invasive in the USA, if so in which states?
Currently, Nolana is not considered invasive in the USA. However, like any plant, it should be monitored to prevent unwanted spreading.
How do I remove Nolana plants from my garden?
Nolana plants can be removed manually by pulling or digging up. To control spreading, ensure that fallen seeds are cleaned up regularly.
Summary
Nolana, commonly known as Chilean Bellflower or Peruvian bell flower, belongs to the Nolaneae tribe of the Solanaceae family. It consists of annual or perennial plants noted for their bell or funnel-shaped flowers, coming in a variety of vibrant colors.
Nolana grows best in a location with full sun and sandy, well-drained soil. Plant them in the spring after the last frost for a summer of colorful blooms. These hardy plants are drought-tolerant, making them suitable for rock gardens, borders, or as ground cover in sunny, dry areas.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Nolana plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Petunia hybrida, Papyrus plant, and Eggplant plants.
Elevate Your Gardening Game
Weekly Growing & Care Guides for Your Inbox!
Find the insights on this site valuable? Then you're going to love my book: 'The Gardener's HQ Plant Growing Guide'.
Upon purchase, receive the eBook in PDF, MOBI (for Kindle), and ePub (most e-readers and iPad) formats. Also available from Amazon USA, Amazon UK, and iBooks.
Genus Index N
