Coleonema

( koh - lee - oh - NEE - muh )

At-A-Glance Information

Coleonema, formerly known as Diosma, is a group of evergreen shrubs that grow in full sun to light shade. They need moderate to regular water and are native to South Africa. Fragrant branches and leaves, similar to Heath. Tiny flowers appear along branches in winter and spring, and attract bees and butterflies to the garden. This plant is great for hillsides and banks as erosion control, and along buildings or pathways, where brushing against it will release its fragrance.

Coleonema Species and Varietals

The genus Coleonema is a member of the family Rutaceae and includes 8 distinct species. Coleonema grows best in USDA hardiness zones 8-11 or Sunset growing zones 7-9 and 14-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Coleonema album (Diosma alba) (White Breath of Heaven, Confetti Bush, Aasbossie, Klipboegoe, Cape May, White Diosma)
This species produces plants which grow to reach 5 feet tall and wide at maturity. It produces white flowers. Foliage is green and fragrant. The plant has a light, wispy habit with branches that move with the breeze. This species is considered invasive in Australia, Taiwan, Trinidad, New Zealand, and the United States.

Coleonema pulchellum (Coleonema pulchrum) (Pink Breath of Heaven, Pink Diosma, Confetti Bush, Diosma, Buchu)
This species also grows to 5 feet tall and wide, and has tiny pink flowers. Often sold as Diosma pulchra. Variety 'Sunset Gold' has yellow foliage and grows to 1.5 feet tall and 4 feet wide. 'Dwarf Pink' is a compact variety that reaches just 3 feet. Pink Diosma is considered invasive in Victoria, Australia.

Caring for coleonema

Plant Coleonema shrubs in a space in the landscape that receives full sun to partial shade; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best blooms. In warm climates, make sure they get some afternoon shade when temperatures are at their peak (typically between 2 and 3 PM). Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention.

Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, Coleonema shrubs need moderate amounts of water. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Lessen waterings when shrubs are dormant in wintertime. Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season. After shrubs finish flowering, shear back the top of the plant by about a third. These shrubs are considered long-lived perennial plants, able to persist for 10-15 years (or more) in the garden before needing to be replaced.

Propagation

Coleonema can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Breath of Heaven, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Coleonema by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
In summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth on your propagated shrub, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Coleonema by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds and store them in a cool, dry place until you are ready to sow.
In fall, water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 1-2 months from sowing.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Problems and Pests

Coleonema does not suffer from pest or disease issues. For information on commonly-encountered pests and diseases in the home garden, including how to treat and prevent them, consult the following pages:

Pests & Pest Management

Plant Issues