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Food & Receipts

The Easiest Blooms to Grow: A Flower That Thrives 365 Days a Year Without Sun, Transforming Your Space Into a Vibrant Oasis

7 October, 2024

There is a flower that fits all these criteria, and it’s the dolphin flower. Its English name is False African Violet or Cape Primrose, and its scientific name is Streptocarpus saxorum, native to the southern mountains of Africa.

This evergreen perennial has dark green leaves. The flowers are adorable, resembling little dolphins. They bloom in clusters, with long stems that create the illusion of a pod of dolphins swimming in the deep blue sea. Their elegant, refined, and vibrant appearance makes them highly prized for ornamental purposes.

What’s more, this flower can bloom 365 days a year if properly cared for and maintained above 10°C.

This flower comes in two colors: white and blue. However, the blue variety is more popular because, when kissed by sunlight, the petals take on a sea-blue hue, making it a striking addition to any home or garden.

How to Grow and Care for the Blue Butterfly Flower

This plant is ideal for hanging baskets, where its branches can gracefully drape, evoking a sense of lightness and romance. It is even easier to grow than the popular spider plant.

You can propagate the dolphin flower through stem cuttings, seed germination, or simply by sticking a leaf into the soil, which will quickly take root and grow into a new plant. Stem cuttings can be rooted in soil or water.

While the dolphin flower is low-maintenance, if you want it to bloom year-round, there are a few key care tips to keep in mind:

– Well-Draining, Aerated Soil

The dolphin flower isn’t picky about soil type, but it thrives in rich, airy, well-drained soil. A mixture of regular soil, leaf mold, and perlite will provide the necessary nutrients and ensure proper drainage. Avoid heavy clay or water-retentive soils, as they can lead to root rot.

– Adjust Lighting According to the Season

These flowers prefer a partially shaded environment and do not tolerate direct sunlight. From late autumn to early spring, ensure your plant gets enough light to promote growth. Starting in late April, gradually reduce the lighting. During summer, maintain it in a space with diffused light, such as an east-facing or north-facing balcony. Direct exposure to harsh sunlight will scorch the leaves.

– Appropriate Watering and Fertilization

The dolphin flower’s stems and leaves are thick and store water well, making it relatively drought-tolerant. However, it doesn’t fare well in overly moist conditions. Water only when the soil is dry, and give it a thorough soaking. You can also dip the entire pot into a larger container of water, allowing the soil to absorb moisture, and then remove it.

This flower doesn’t require frequent fertilization. Slow-release fertilizer, applied once or twice a month, is usually sufficient. If you want to encourage faster growth, you can fertilize with a water-soluble fertilizer once a week, resulting in more vigorous growth and abundant blooms.

– Timely Pruning

After the dolphin flower finishes blooming, be sure to prune it. If left unpruned, it will develop seeds, causing the plant to expend energy on seed production rather than flowering. Timely pruning conserves the plant’s energy, promoting growth and encouraging more blooms.

The dolphin flower has excellent branching capabilities and can naturally grow into a beautiful, full shape without the need for tip pruning.

– Protect from Cold in Winter

The dolphin flower has decent heat tolerance and can survive the summer if shaded from direct sun. However, it struggles in cold temperatures. During winter, ensure the temperature stays above 10°C to encourage flowering. The minimum temperature should not fall below 5°C to prevent frost damage.