How to grow African Blue Flax

Heliophila coronopifolia

Full Sun
Medium

The plants are easy to grow in the garden. They grow fast given the right conditions of full sun, well-drained soil and regular watering during the growing season. Heliophila look beautiful planted densely, giving a mass of blue, or they can be interspersed between other annuals, bulbs or shrubs

Growing African blue flax from seed

The seed can be scattered directly into garden beds or first sown in seedbeds or seed trays. The seed germinates well, usually within a week. Sow in autumn

Sow at a depth of approx. 0.2 inches (0.5 cm) and aim for a distance of at least 0.78 inches (2.0 cm) between African blue flax plants.

Transplanting African blue flax

They should be planted out as soon as they are big enough to handle; 2 – 3 weeks.

African blue flax is tender, so ensure you wait until all danger of frost has passed in your area before considering planting outside.

How long does African blue flax take to grow?

These estimates for how long African blue flax takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

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African blue flax Etymology

Heliophila means sun loving. In South Africa there are 71 species of Heliophila most of them annuals naturally growing throughout Namaqualand and the south western Cape. Although many of them are similar to Heliophila coronopifolia with blue flowers, there are also species with pink and white flowers.
The showy sunflax belongs to the mustard family (Brassicaceae), as do cauliflowers and broccoli. In this family the plants often taste and smell of mustard and sulphur. If you crush a sunflax, it smells like a cauliflower.

Other names for African blue flax

Wild flax, Sporries, Showy sunflax

Heliophila caledonica, Heliophila dissecta, Heliophila filifolia, Heliophila fistuolsa, Heliophila longifolia, Heliophila sonchifolia