Scaevola - Fan Flower

The Scaevola, also known as the fan flower, is a beautiful garden bloomer with a relaxed look and purple, fan-shaped flowers with yellow centers. This plant is originally from the coastal areas of southwestern Australia and belongs to the Goodeniaceae family. With its spiraling tendrils and lush flowers that grow deep over the edge, the Scaevola is a bit wild and perfect for hanging baskets or window boxes and continues to flower well into autumn.

The Scaevola is an ideal tub plant, especially for northern, cooler summers. The plant thrives in both half sun and half shade and prefers a little water regularly rather than a large amount at once. For the most beautiful flowering, it is advisable to provide the Scaevola with plant food weekly. The flowers of the Scaevola are usually blue, but there are also varieties available in white, lilac and pink. With its various colours and stylish appearance, the Scaevola is an asset to any balcony, terrace or garden.

The Scaevola - Fan Flower likes a sip of water

The Scaevola prefers a little water every day rather than a large amount of water at once. It is important that the soil is not constantly soaked, because the plant does not like wet feet. Therefore, ensure good drainage, so that excess water can drain away well and the roots do not drown. It is wise to regularly check the soil for moisture, so that you can see if the plant needs water.

For the most beautiful flowering, it is advisable to give the Scaevola a little plant food every week. This way, the plant gets enough nutrients to stay healthy and bloom profusely. Make sure you dissolve the plant food in water before giving it to the plant, to prevent burning of the roots.

It is also important to ensure that the flowers of the Scaevola do not become damp during watering. Wet flowers can spoil faster and mold can form. Therefore, preferably water at the base of the plant and avoid spraying the flowers themselves. With the right care and attention to the water needs of the Scaevola, you can enjoy a beautifully flowering plant that enriches your garden or balcony with its colorful flowers.

Summer

During the summer it is very important that this plant, when it is outside, is kept well moist. Especially during the warm days it should be watered every day, so that the root ball is well moist. On the less warm days this can sometimes be skipped for a few days. This is so important because otherwise the plant 'drinks' moisture from its leaves, causing it to become dry and eventually die. This should of course be prevented.

Winter

When winter is approaching, the rules are reversed! If the Scaevola - Fan flower is outside, it must remain dry so that the moisture does not freeze and damage the plant. The Scaevola - Fan flower does not suffer from a dry root ball during this period, it is in a kind of hibernation!
When the plant is kept indoors during the winter it should be kept slightly moist, so not soaking wet (as in summer), but just so that the root ball feels slightly damp.

General rules

In addition to the above guidelines, it is best to follow these rules:

First, give the plant a little water. If the soil is dry within 2 days, it means it needs a little more water. Adjust the amount of water until it still feels slightly moist between 2 and 5 days after watering, and almost dry after 5 days. If it feels very wet after 5 days, wait until it is almost dry and water again, but reduce the amount.

Spraying

We recommend that you spray the Scaevola - Fan flower with water weekly. However, we do not recommend this during warm summer days, so that you do it either in the evening after sunset, or on days when the sun shines little, because the water droplets bundle the incoming sunlight into small points that become very hot. These cause the leaves to dry out, or even burn through.
Apart from the detrimental effect of bright sunlight on wet leaves, misting has beneficial effects for your Scaevola - Fan Flower. Namely, it removes dust from the leaves, allowing them to better absorb sunlight and appear more beautiful, and it prevents certain types of pests.

Where is the best place to place the Scaevola - Fan Flower?

The Scaevola thrives best in a spot where it can get some sunlight in the morning and afternoon, but is protected from the bright midday sun. The plant likes a spot with sufficient light, so a spot in partial shade is ideal. Make sure the plant is not too warm, as it originally comes from coastal areas and is therefore well resistant to the salty sea air.

In terms of temperature, the Scaevola is suitable for our climate, but does not like temperatures that are too low. Make sure that the plant is not exposed to frost, as this can damage the flowers. It is wise to bring the plant inside at colder temperatures or protect it with a fleece cover, for example.

The Scaevola has no specific needs in terms of humidity. Make sure the plant gets enough water, but avoid the flowers getting too wet when watering. Good drainage is important, so that the plant does not suffer from wet feet. With regular watering and feeding, the Scaevola will thrive and bloom for a long time with its beautiful fan-shaped flowers.

Light

The Scaevola - Fan Flower is a plant that likes a fair amount of sunlight. It likes to be in full sun or half shade, taking in all the light. Is it indoors? Then it wants a spot near a window or where there is light. The Scaevola - Fan Flower requires at least 1 to 3 hours of direct sunlight per day

Wind

Make sure that the Scaevola - Fan Flower experiences as little wind as possible. Wind can damage the leaves, causing them to die off more quickly. A little wind is no problem.

Temperature requirements

Minimum temperature during the day: -6 ℃
At night minimum -6 ℃

Repotting, why and when?

The Scaevola plant should not be repotted often, as it does well in soil and does not overgrow quickly. However, if you notice that the plant is starting to grow and roots are starting to grow out of the drainage holes of the pot, it is time to move the plant to a larger pot. This can usually be done every few years, depending on how fast the plant is growing.

When you decide to repot your Scaevola plant, it is important to be careful not to damage the roots. Choose a pot that is about 2-3 cm larger than the current pot, so that the roots have enough room to grow. Fill the new pot with fresh potting soil and carefully place the plant in the new pot, gently pressing the roots into the soil.

After repotting, it is important to water the plant well so that the roots can establish themselves in the new potting soil. Continue to water the plant regularly and give it the right care to keep it healthy and happy. With the right care, the Scaevola plant will continue to grow and bloom and brighten up your garden or balcony with its beautiful flowers.

General rules

When the Scaevola - Fan flower has taken root (often every 2-3 years) we recommend repotting it in the spring. If it is always inside, it does not matter. If it is outside, it is not a problem to repot it in the summer, but we advise against it in the autumn and winter, because it will not grow and take root optimally then. This can make it somewhat weak, and possibly suffer damage from frost.

When you choose to repot your Scaevola - Fan flower, choose a nice pot that is twice the size of the root ball. Place a layer of hydro grains at the bottom of the new pot, for better moisture control. It will thank you for that. Fill this layer with some Mediterranean potting soil. This type of soil ensures that the Scaevola - Fan flower roots optimally and is fed. Then you can place the root ball on the ground. Make sure that the top of the root ball is slightly below the edge of the pot. Aim for a difference of 2 to 6 cm. This difference ensures that the water does not run off the root ball when you water it.
Every year you should replace the top layer of soil, because it hardens and 'wears out' in nutrients, due to regular watering and because of the sunlight on the upper edge of the root ball.

Provide the Scaevola - Fan Flower with good nutrition

The Scaevola needs regular feeding to stay healthy and bloom profusely. It is advisable to provide the plant with plant food every week, especially during the flowering season. The fertilizers are best administered in liquid form, so that the plant can absorb the nutrients directly. It is important to ensure a well-drained and nutrient-rich soil, so that the Scaevola can absorb all the necessary nutrients.

It is also important to ensure that the roots of the plant do not remain in moist soil for too long, as the Scaevola does not like wet feet. Therefore, always ensure good drainage, so that excess water can drain away properly. In this way, you prevent the roots of the plant from rotting and the Scaevola can grow and bloom optimally.

It is advisable to remove the faded flowers regularly, so that the plant can put energy into new flower formation. In this way, the Scaevola will continue to look beautiful and cared for and will continue to flower until deep into autumn. By caring for the plant in this way and giving it the right nutrition, you ensure that the Scaevola remains healthy and that you can enjoy its beautiful flowers for a long time.

When the leaves change color

The leaves can get black leaf tips. This can mean that too much water has been released. Brown or yellow leaves can mean that too little water is being released. We then recommend checking this and possibly adjusting the watering. We also recommend making the plant a bit more beautiful by simply cutting off the ugly tips with scissors.

It is also possible that the Scaevola - Fan flower has been moved from a place with a lot/little light to a place with a different amount of light. This can also cause the leaves to discolour. The new leaves will be more resistant to direct sunlight.

How and when should you prune the Scaevola - Fan Flower?

The leaves of the Scaevola - Fan flower will eventually wither. If this is the case with a leaf, you can simply cut the stem near the trunk. It is not a problem to cut off an entire leaf with the stem of the plant. This is the way the plant forms its trunk.

How can I propagate the Scaevola - Fan Flower?

The Scaevola can be propagated by cuttings or seeds. For cuttings, it is best to cut off a piece of the plant in spring or summer and put it in water or cutting powder to let roots grow. Sowing can also be done in spring, so that the plant can go outside in the second half of May. By propagating in one of these ways, you can have more of these beautiful plants grow and flower in your garden or on your balcony.