How to Grow Baby's Breath (Gypsophila) (2024)

FAQs

How to Grow Baby's Breath (Gypsophila)? ›

Sow seeds indoors in late winter.

Gypsophila are perfect grown alongside other plants, where their thin and sparse stems contrast well with larger clumping and densely growing plants. They do need room to spread, so make sure they won't crowd out other smaller plants. Gypsophila do not like cold, wet soil, so avoid locations which are slow to warm up.

Baby's breath can be grown in containers, but because it needs full sun to thrive, indoor conditions aren't ideal for this plant.

Baby's breath is easy to grow, so easy it takes off in some areas of the country. Follow these tips for the best quality blooms. Baby's breath thrives in drier soil, so don't go overboard with watering. They are well-suited for rock gardens and borders where other plants are not irrigated.

Baby's breath propagates easily and does well from cuttings taken from a mature plant. Here's how: Cut pieces, about 4 to 5 inches, of healthy stems. Remove any leaves in the 1/3 portion of the lowest part of the cutting.

Life-Cycle. Baby's breath is a perennial; new plants come up every year from the same root system. It spreads via seeds, not a spreading root system, but one plant can produce well over 10,000 seeds. Plants become brittle, break and roll like tumbleweeds, spreading seeds.

Gypsophila are fully hardy and can tolerate winter temperatures down to -20C. This means you can plant them directly outside in pots or borders without the need for frost protection.

It's a common joke among growers that the baby's breath plant is something even the worst flower growers can't kill. Fresh ones will last anywhere from 8-10 days, or more when properly cared for.

Where to grow gypsophila. Gypsophila in a sunny spot and in free-draining soil – if you don't have this, add plenty of grit when planting. Gypsophilas prefer a slightly alkaline soil (lime or chalk) but will grow in most neutral soils. Avoid acid soils.

Baby's breath has a long root system that can reach as much as four metres in depth. The plant is drought resistant and can access water much deeper than most native plants, taking away moisture from our local flora. Its long roots also make this plant difficult to remove once it is established.

What are companion plants for baby's breath? ›

WHAT ARE SOME NICE COMPANION PLANTS? Peonies, monarda, digitalis, delphinium, scabiosa, campanula, dianthus, and hardy geranium make nice companions.

Baby's Breath needs 0.8 cups of water every 9 days when it doesn't get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5.0" pot. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

To start baby's breath from seeds, do this indoors six to eight weeks before the last average frost date. Sow the seeds in small pots or cell packs and press the seeds into the soil; do not cover them because the seeds need light to germinate. Keep them evenly moist at 70 to 75 degrees F.

Baby's Breath Flower Meaning

Buying the baby's breath flower often represents sincerity, purity, and love in many forms. It also sometimes symbolizes innocence, making it an excellent gift for baby showers and many other occasions. When given as a gift, they are given as one of thoughtfulness and love.

Either transplant seedlings when large enough, or thin to 40-50cm apart. Pinch out the tips of the plants to encourage a bushy habit and more flowers. Aftercare: Do not fertilise as this may promote plant growth rather than heavy flowering.

Gypsophila is native to central and eastern Europe but it can also be found growing in the wild in many other countries, including North America, to the point of being invasive. What time of the year does baby's breath grow? Gypsophila paniculata, the most commonly grown baby's breath, is a perennial plant.

Where to grow gypsophila. Gypsophila in a sunny spot and in free-draining soil – if you don't have this, add plenty of grit when planting. Gypsophilas prefer a slightly alkaline soil (lime or chalk) but will grow in most neutral soils. Avoid acid soils.

Gypsophila are fully hardy and can tolerate winter temperatures down to -20C. This means you can plant them directly outside in pots or borders without the need for frost protection.

Baby's breath can be grown in containers or it can be planted directly in the ground. It can do well in dry, hot conditions. It will germinate within a week or two, and takes around 6-7 weeks to reach maturity.