How to Grow Nemesia for Scented Summer Pots

Nemesia is a little plant with a lot to give. Its masses of small, two-toned flowers cover pots and window boxes from early summer into autumn, many varieties are scented, and the bees like them too.

Here's how to grow nemesia and keep it flowering.

Nemesia at a Glance

• Hardiness: not reliably hardy in Britain.
• Position: full sun.
• Size: about 15 to 45cm.
• Flowers: June to October.
• When to plant out: May and June, after the frosts.
• Good for: pots, window boxes, the front of a border and bees.

Where to Plant Nemesia

Nemesia loves a sunny spot. Its compact, bushy shape makes it perfect for pots, window boxes and the front of a border, and its soft colours look lovely alongside bolder bedding such as geraniums and petunias.

Caring for Nemesia

• Watering: keep the compost moist, especially in pots in hot weather.
• Trimming: when the first flush of flowers fades, give the plants a light trim, and they'll push out fresh flowers well into autumn.
• Feeding: feed pots through summer with a liquid feed for flowering plants.

Scented Nemesia

Many nemesia are scented, but the strength of the scent varies a lot between varieties. Some are strongly perfumed and others barely scented, so plant the scented ones near a seat or doorway where you'll enjoy them.

Winter

Nemesia isn't reliably hardy, so it's usually grown for one season. If you'd like to try keeping a plant, move the pot somewhere frost-free for winter.

Nemesia: Your Questions Answered

Is nemesia hardy?

Not reliably. It's usually grown as a one-season plant, or kept somewhere frost-free over winter.

How do I keep nemesia flowering?

Give it full sun, keep it watered, and trim it lightly after the first flush of flowers.

Is nemesia good for bees?

Yes. Bees visit the flowers through summer.

Soft Colour and Scent All Summer

A few pots of nemesia will bring months of gentle colour and scent to a sunny patio. Browse our nemesia, or see the best summer bedding plants.

Our garden plants are grown in Britain by growers we know, including the Yorkshire nursery that grows most of them. We check every plant by hand before it's packed, and send it out ready for your garden.