84 – 121 days. Marine heliotrope seeds are a fragrant, delicate, yet hardy grow where others would decline. Marine seeds grow neat 12 – 18” leafy heliotropes bursting with aromatic indigo-lavender clusters ideal for showing off indoors or as an elegant trim out in the flower bed. Marine heliotrope is easy to grow from seed and far more resistant to disease and mildew than many other seasonal favorites. Marine heliotrope seeds promise spectacular and lasting blooms that are sure to add a seasonal perfume to any garden or fresh cut arrangement. 1000 seeds.
Growing Marine Heliotrope Garden Seeds
- Taxonomy: Heliotropium arborescens
- Other Names: Garden Heliotrope
- Seed Type: Annual (Perennial to zones 9 – 11)
- Sow Indoors or Outdoors: For earliest spring blooms, begin Marine heliotrope seeds indoors 10 – 12 weeks prior to the final frost. Seeds will germinate in 14 – 21 days in complete darkness and, once germinated, transplant seedlings to a warm sunny place indoors or harden off to an equally warm spot if transplanting outside.
- Days to Maturity: 84 – 121 days
- Hardiness Zone: 6 – 11
- Planting Depth: Plant 3 – 4 seeds ¼” deep
- Plant Spacing: 12”
- Growth Habit: 12 – 18” tall bushy upright with a 12” spread of blooming floret clusters
- Soil Preference: Moist, organically rich, well-drained
- Light Preference: Full sun – Partial Shade
- Diseases/Pests/Troubleshooting: Marine heliotrope does not tolerate drought and soil should not be allowed to dry out. Heliotrope is a hardy and vigorous summertime favorite with no serious diseases or susceptibilities. No serious pests but monitor regularly for aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, and mealybugs, particularly if keeping indoors overwinter.
- Color: Violet and deep purple blooming clusters atop rich leafy greens
For earliest spring blooms, begin Marine heliotrope seeds indoors 10 – 12 weeks prior to the final frost. Seeds will germinate in 14 – 21 days in complete darkness and, once germinated, transplant seedlings to a warm sunny place indoors or harden off to an equally warm spot if transplanting outside. Plant 3 – 4 Marine heliotrope seeds ¼” deep and 12” apart in moist, organically rich, and well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Marine heliotrope does not tolerate drought and soil should not be allowed to dry out. Heliotrope is a hardy and vigorous summertime favorite with no serious diseases or susceptibilities. No serious pests but monitor regularly for aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, and mealybugs, particularly if keeping indoors overwinter. Marine heliotrope seeds mature in 84 – 121 days as 12 – 18” tall bushy uprights with a 12” spread of violet-indigo floret clusters.
Heliotropium arborescens, or otherwise simply known as Heliotrope or Garden Heliotrope, is native to the warm seaside climate of Peru. Despite its beauty and alluring fragrance, heliotrope is notorious for its poisonous seeds which are heavily toxic to horses in particular. Other animals will forage on the unpalatable heliotrope if no other food source is available at the risk of liver failure.