Nemesia

( nem - EE - see- uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This colorful genus of annuals and perennials is native to South America and need full sun and regular water for best performance. Some species are fragrant, and all form subshrubs with eye-catching floral displays in spring and summertime. Flowers are two-lipped, with the upper lip consisting of four lobes and the lower lip two lobes. They look somewhat similar to Snapdragon blooms, and are so profuse that they typically hide all foliage when plants are in bloom. Use these flowering superstars in mixed beds, container plantings or along pathways.

Nemesia Species and Varietals

The genus Nemesia is a member of the plant family Scrophulariaceae and includes over 50 distinct species. The genus name is thought to be derived from the Greek name 'nemesion', used for a similar looking plant. Nemesia growing zones vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Nemesia caerulea (Nemesia foetens, Nemesia fruticans)
This perennial grows best in zones 14-24 and is grown as an annual elsewhere. It reaches 2 feet tall and a foot wide. Foliage is bright green and stems carry multiple fragrant blossoms in blue, pink or lavender (the plain species color is blue-purple). These plants can bloom for a long period of time without much special attention. Cut back to stimulate new growth and continued bloom if necessary. Select varieties are described below.
'Innocence Compact'
Yellow flowers are centered white. 
'Innocence Compact Pink'
This variety has pink blooms.
Poetry Series
12-14 inches tall in a variety of colors.
Aromatica Series
12-14 inches tall in a variety of colors.
Sunsatia Series
6-12 inches tall, with a range of bloom colors.
'Bluebird'
Blue to violet blooms have yellow centers.
'Easter Bonnet'

Nemesia cheiranthus (Long-Eared Nemesia)
These striking flowers are native to South Africa, where they are grown as annuals. The flowers are yellow, white, and occasionally have purple markings. Leaves are toothed and lance-shaped. Plants typically reach 16 inches tall when in bloom. This species prefers sandy soils. Popular garden cultivars are 'Shooting Stars' and 'Masquerade'.

Nemesia denticulata (Toothed Aloha)
These natives of the eastern Cape of South Africa form mats of foliage and produce spikes of pink flowers. Flowers are white and have yellow markings towards their centers. These plants bloom between February and September in their native range. 

Nemesia floribunda (Cape Jewels, Fleshy Nemesia)
This species of Nemesia is native to South Africa, and has naturalized in places around the globe. It is a commonly used ornamental plant, and reaches up to 12-24 inches tall at maturity. It is considered to be a weedy plant in some areas of the world.
Nemesia spp. Hybrids and Cultivars (Hybrid Nemesia)
This group includes popular hybrids and cultivars sold simply under the name 'Nemesia'. They were bred for flower color, fragrance, bloom time, disease and pest resistance, and habit.
'Aromatica True Blue'
'Berries and Cream'
'Bluebird'
'Ice Pink'
'Juicy Fruits Kumquat'
'Opal Innocence'
'Rhubarb and Custard'
'Sunsatia Cherry'
'Sunshine'
'Tropical'
'Wisley Vanilla'

Nemesia linearis (Witleeubekkie)
These flowers have an unpleasant smell, and reach up to 36 inches tall when in bloom. Flowers appear on tall spikes, and are spaced a bit apart. Blooms are white with yellow markings and bloom between February and September in the plant's native range in southern Africa.

Nemesia strumosa (Cape Jewels, Pouch Nemesia)
This annual grows best in zones 1-24 and reaches 1.5 feet tall and 1 foot wide. Flowers in this species are usually hybrids, and flowers are unscented. Blooms are a bit differently-shaped, more like a chalice, coming in every color except green. Can be purchased at a nursery or grown from seed. They prefer rich soil and regular moisture, and can be pinched to encourage a more bushy growth habit. Cultivar 'Danish Flag' has red and white flowers and 'Carnival' varieties are compact with an upright habit.

Nemesia versicolor (Variable Lionface, Kappieblommetjie, Weeskindertjies)
This species of Nemesia is an annual that does best in zones 1-24 and reaches 8-10 inches tall and just as wide. Flowers are unscented in this species and come in a variety of colors, usually blue, yellow and white. These plants are endemic to the Northern and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa.

Caring for Nemesia

Plant Nemesia flowers in full sun to partial shade. Ideally, the best exposure is in a space that gets morning sun and afternoon shade when temperatures are at their peak. They love to be grown in soil that is rich in organic matter, fertile, and well-draining with 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. Space plants between 4 and 6 inches apart for best coverage. After planting, lay down a 1-2 inch layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and increase soil moisture retention. Water new plants regularly as they establish a strong root system. At maturity, these plants like consistently moist soils. Be careful not to overwater, however, as soggy soil can lead to the development of fungal diseases which can hurt the plant. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top two inches of soil feels dry to the touch. 

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. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Deadhead spent blooms immediately to stimulate more to pop. Once plants whither away at the end of the growing season, they can be pulled (if they are being grown as annuals). In mild-winter zones, these plants can bloom from springtime until the first frost of the year, and in warmer climates they will do well in early spring to fall with some dieback during the warmest weather. 

Growing Nemesia in Containers
​Nemesia flowers are very popular as container plants, able to add bright color and a spilling effect with little effort. Nemesia does best in a potting mix amended with sand, vermiculite, or perlite. Ensure that pot or window box has excellent drainage to avoid standing water in the root zone. Place pots in a space that receives full sun with some afternoon shade. Nemesia will need to be watered more regularly when grown in pots; check soil regularly and irrigate whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. After plants fade, pull and compost them.

Propagation

Nemesia 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 Nemesia, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Nemesia by Cutting
  1. 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) peat moss and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
  2. In spring or early 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 3-4 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.
  3. 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, you'll know you have roots.
  4. 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 Nemesia by Seed
  1. 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. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) peat moss and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
  2. Harvest your seeds. The seed pods are left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will begin to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
  3. 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 14-21 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
  4. 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.
Nemesia seed pods form where flowers once bloomed along spikes.
Nemesia seeds are typically small and light in color.

Problems and Pests

Nemesia plants are typically pest and disease free, and are considered easy-care garden plants. They can, however, have problems with the following pests and diseases from time to time:
  • Powdery Mildew
  • Aphids
  • Thrips
For more information on these pests and diseases, including how to treat and manage them, consult the following pages:
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Gallery

Nemesia are classic container plants.
Here, Nemesia is used to hide the bare trunk of a Musa plant.
There are many flower colors to choose from when choosing a Nemesia plant for your garden.
Upright varieties of Nemesia resemble Snapdragons.
Here, white and purple-flowering Nemesia plants are bookends to Dusty Miller.
This mixed bed uses Nemesia to front Salvia and Gerber Daisies.
These plants bloom profusely, sometimes to such an extent that foliage is completely covered.
There are many bi-colored cultivars of Nemesia.
Pink Nemesia is chosen for this hanging basket to accompany Geranium.

Videos

How to grow and care for Nemesia.
How to plant Nemesia.

Resources

Nemesia Troubleshooting: What's Wrong with my Nemesia Plant
How to Grow and Care for Nemesia
Nemesia Plant Care - How to Grow Nemesia Flowers
Nemesia: A Care & Growing Guide
Wikipedia: Nemesia (plant)
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 453, Nemesia
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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