Although the blue fan flower is often sold as an annual balcony flower, it is perennial but not hardy. To hibernate, it needs a frost-free, bright winter quarters, in summer it feels most comfortable on a sunny balcony.
The fan flower is a popular balcony plant
The fan flower is about 20 - 30 cm high, but forms hanging shoots up to one meter long. So it is ideal for planting in balcony boxes (€109.00) and hanging baskets. The beautiful fan-shaped blue or purple flowers appear from May to October.
If you prefer to plant the fan flower in the garden or on the terrace, we recommend planting it in a tall bucket. The long decorative shoots come into their own there. The fan flower, on the other hand, is less suitable as a bedding plant.
Plant the fan flower
Plant the fan flower in a sunny place or in the light semi-shade. The more sun the plant gets, the more lush the flowers will be. A targeted pruning can promote lush flowering and a long flowering period. The fan flower makes no special demands on the soil. However, it should be well drained, because the plant does not tolerate waterlogging.
Water and fertilize the fan flower
The blue fan flower is quite thirsty and needs regular watering. This is especially true during the flowering period. Then you should fertilize your plant about every 14 days, because it needs a lot of nutrients, like many other flowering plants.
The fan flower in winter
Since the fan flower is not hardy, it naturally does not tolerate frost. The ideal temperature in the winter quarters is around 5 -10 °C. Cut back the fan flower in late autumn before putting the plant into winter quarters.
Reduce watering, but don't let the soil dry out completely. The fan flower does not need fertilizer in winter. As soon as no more night frosts are to be expected, the fan flower can move back to its usual place on the balcony.
tips
If the fan flower stops flowering over the course of the summer, cut the plant back by about half. It will sprout again and form many buds again.