Fairy Fan-flower.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Perennial herb

Light

Full sun to light shade

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

1 to 2 feet tall

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 9 to 11

Bloom time

Late spring to early autumn

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to ensure healthy growth. Watch for wilting, which is a clear sign the plant needs a drink. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage a fresh flush of blooms.

Watering

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Feeding

Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the active growing season.

Pruning

Trim back the stems occasionally to maintain a bushy shape and promote more flowers.

Repotting

Repot only if the plant becomes root-bound or needs fresh soil.

Soil

Well-draining sandy or loamy soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.5

Temperature

5 to 35°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Drought tolerance

Moderate

Lifespan

Short lived perennial, often grown as an annual.

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

There are no significant reports of human toxicity, but it is best kept away from curious mouths.

Pets

This plant is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Children

Keep out of reach of small children to prevent accidental ingestion of plant parts.

Contact allergens

No specific skin irritants are known.

Airborne allergens

Pollen may cause mild reactions in sensitive individuals during peak bloom.

Edibility

This plant is not intended for consumption and may cause digestive upset.

How to identify it

• Fan-shaped blue or purple flowers
• Serrated, bright green foliage
• Spreading, semi-trailing growth habit
• Small, fleshy stems

Height

0.15 to 0.3m

Spread

0.45 to 0.9m

Leaves

green, evergreen

Flowers

blue, purple, white, 2 to 3cm

Problems to watch for

• AphidsCommon
• Root RotCommon
• Botrytis BlightUncommon
• ThripsUncommon

Growing it

Propagation

cuttings

When to plant

spring

Overwintering

Bring containers indoors before the first frost in cooler climates. Keep it in a bright, cool spot and water sparingly until spring.

In containers

It is excellent for containers and hanging baskets, needing at least a 25 cm pot for healthy growth.

Pair with plants that have similar drought tolerance to ensure they thrive together in containers.

Grows well with

• Petunia — They share similar sun and water needs for a colorful display.
• Sweet Alyssum — It provides a fragrant, low growing contrast to the fan flower.

Similar species

• Blue Wonder — It is a very similar low growing relative with comparable habits.

Science

Family

Goodeniaceae

Genus

Scaevola

Order

Asterales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Australia

Conservation

This species is common in its native range and not currently of conservation concern.

It thrives in well drained, sandy soils in coastal or open woodland areas.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

hanging baskets, ground cover, container gardens

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need deadheading?

No, it is self cleaning and will continue to bloom without help.

Can I grow it in shade?

It prefers full sun for the best flower production.

Where the name comes from

The name Scaevola comes from the Latin word for left-handed, referring to the asymmetrical flower shape.

Good to know

• The flowers look like half a bloom, which is quite distinctive.
• It is a fantastic choice for hot, sunny spots where other plants might wilt.
• It requires very little maintenance once established.