Tunica / Petrorhagia Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners
Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 27th Oct 2023
In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Tunica / Petrorhagia plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.
- Plant Characteristics: Tunica plants are petite with delicate, cup-shaped flowers, adding subtle charm to any garden. Their blooms come in soft pastels, making them an elegant choice for ornamental purposes. These plants can also be used to provide a lovely ground cover.
- Ideal Growing Conditions: Plants thrive in full sun to partial shade. Well-draining soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH and moderate moisture helps them flourish.
- General Care: Regular watering without over-saturation ensures healthy growth. Deadheading spent flowers promotes prolonged blooming.
- Tips for New Gardeners: Recently reclassified into the Petrorhagia plant genus Tunicas are relatively easy to grow and are well-suited for beginners and seasoned gardeners. However, watch out for potential root rot if the soil remains too damp.
Tunic Flower and Hairy Pink: Cultivation & Garden Use
Members of the Tunica genus are low growing hardy perennials. They have recently been reclassified as belonging to the Petrorhagia family.
They have feathery foliage, and bloom in the summer with flat purple or pink flowers.
Common varieties of Tunica grown in the garden include Tunic Flower, Hairy pink, Saxifrage Pink, and Coat Flower.
(Tunica) Petrorhagia saxifraga by Nuuuuuuuuuuul.
The genus Tunica, once recognized as its own group of plants, is now classified under the broader genus Petrorhagia based on recent botanical findings.
How to Grow Tunic Flower and Other Tunica
When growing Tunic flower from seeds it is best to sow them into flats first. This can be done in either spring or autumn.
When sowing in spring, sow the Tunica seeds in a flat and lightly cover, next put the flat in a plastic bin bag and place in the fridge for three weeks. Following this, sink the flats into a shady part of the garden and cover with glass, water occasionally to keep the soil moist.
The germination period of Tunica seeds is from two to 10 weeks.
Once seedlings emerge, transplant them into a sunny part of the garden about 10 to 15 cm apart (4 to 6 inches). Ideally the soil will be limy and have good drainage.
Caring for Tunica/Petrorhagia Flowers
Members of this genus, such as Tunic flower and Coat flower, pretty much look after themselves. If you require more Tunica plants, then propagate by dividing them in the spring.
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Tunica Growing and Care Guide
- Common Names: Coat flower, Hairy pink, Tunic flower, Wild carnation, Tunic saxifrage.
- Syn.: Petrorhagia.
- Life Cycle: Hardy perennial; genus also contains some annuals following reclassification into Petrorhagia.
- Height: 4 to 12 inches (10—30 cm).
- Native: Mediterranean, Europe, Asia.
- Growing Region: Zones 4 to 7.
- Flowers: Summer.
- Flower Details: Pink, lilac, white. Clustered. Flat. Small. Sometimes veined.
- Foliage: Green. Feathery, or grass-like leaves. Narrow. Leaves sheathed the stem at its base. Wiry stems.
- Sowing: Cover seeds. Germination time: two weeks to two months. Spacing 4 to 8 inches (10—20 cm).
Seed: Method 1: Seeds should be sown into flats in the autumn. Sink the flat into the ground in an area that offers shade, preferably close to a wall that faces north. Provide a glass/plastic covering. Keep an eye on the flats to ensure that the soil remains moist. Bring the flats indoor at the beginning of spring and keep at 50°F (10°C). Transplant seedlings after the last frost of spring or in the autumn.
Seed: Method 2: In the spring, mix seeds in a moist growing medium, then put in flats, wrap in a large plastic bag, then stratify by refrigeration for three weeks. Next bury the flat as described above. Once seedlings emerge transplant them to their final location. - Requirements and care: Full sunlight. Good drainage. Limy soil or gravel for best results. Keep soil moist until seedlings are established. Drought tolerant once established. Cut back for second bloom. Propagate: by dividing by in the spring. Self-seeds freely.
- Family: Caryophyllaceae.
- Closely Related Species: Carnations.
- Miscellaneous: Tunica Plants have been recently reclassified into the Petrorhagia genus.
Common Questions
How many members does the Tunica genus have?
The Tunica genus is small, with around five recognized species.
Do members of Tunica make a good garden or landscaping plant?
Tunica is a charming plant for rock gardens and borders, with its low-growing habit and attractive pink flowers.
Which Tunica species are most frequently grown by gardeners?
The most commonly cultivated Tunica species is Tunica saxifraga.
Are members of the Tunica plant genus fragrant?
Tunica species are not generally known for fragrance.
What is the perfect location to grow Tunica?
Tunica thrives in full sun with well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant and suitable for rock gardens.
Is Tunica invasive in the USA, if so in which states?
Currently, Tunica is not considered invasive in the USA.
How do I remove Tunica plants from my garden?
Tunica plants can be manually removed by uprooting the entire plant.
Summary
The Tunica genus includes perennial plants native to South Africa and Europe. They are admired for their clusters of small, delicate flowers that bloom in spring and early summer. Tunica saxifraga, commonly known as pink rockjasmine, is one of the most popular species.
Grow Tunica from seeds or cuttings, preferably in spring. They prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained, sandy soil. Regular watering is necessary, particularly during dry periods, but overwatering should be avoided to prevent root rot. Deadheading can help prolong the blooming period.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Tunica plants. You may also enjoy the following hardy perennial Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Mimulus and Iberis plants.
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