Introduction
Browallia produces blue or white flowers over a long period of time. The plant prefers afternoon shade and has a height of 1 to 1½ feet. Over fertilization causes leaf growth at the expense of flower production. Browallia is suitable for hanging pots.
Credit: Edward F. Gilman, UF/IFAS
General Information
Scientific name: Browallia speciosa
Pronunciation: bro-WAL-ee-uh spee-see-O-suh
Common name(s): browallia, amethyst flower
Family: Solanaceae
Plant type: annual
USDA hardiness zones: all zones (Figure 2)
Planting month for zone 7: Jun
Planting month for zone 8: May
Planting month for zone 9: Apr
Planting month for zone 10 and 11: Mar; Sep; Oct; Nov
Origin: not native to North America
Invasive potential: not known to be invasive
Uses: mass planting; container or above-ground planter; cut flowers; cascading down a wall
Availability: grown in small quantities by a small number of nurseries
Credit: undefined
Description
Height: 1 to 2 feet
Spread: 1 to 2 feet
Plant habit: round
Plant density: moderate
Growth rate: moderate
Texture: medium
Foliage
Leaf arrangement: opposite/subopposite
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: entire
Leaf shape: ovate
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaf type and persistence: not applicable
Leaf blade length: 2 to 4 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: not applicable
Fall characteristic: not applicable
Flower
Flower color: blue; purple
Flower characteristic: showy
Fruit
Fruit shape: no fruit
Fruit length: no fruit
Fruit cover: no fruit
Fruit color: not applicable
Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy
Trunk and Branches
Trunk/bark/branches: not applicable
Current year stem/twig color: green
Current year stem/twig thickness: medium
Culture
Light requirement: plant grows in part shade/part sun
Soil tolerances: clay; sand; acidic; loam
Drought tolerance:
Soil salt tolerances: unknown
Plant spacing: 6 to 12 inches
Other
Roots: not applicable
Winter interest: not applicable
Outstanding plant: not particularly outstanding
Pest resistance: long-term health usually not affected by pests
Use and Management
The seed germinates in two to three weeks at temperatures of 75°F. Do not cover the seed with soil. The plants can be pinched to encourage bushiness. Browallia needs to be hardened off before planting outside. In USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11, plant in the fall for winter bloom.
