sundrops

Sundrops tend to do best with moderate and consistent watering and should not be overwatered. Water the plants when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry. Aim to water your sundrops once a week in the summer and every other week in the winter, in order to keep the soil evenly moist. If the plants are in containers, water more often to prevent the soil from drying out quickly. Make sure to avoid drying out the soil as much as possible as sundrops are very intolerant of drought and dry soil conditions. If the soil is dry for prolonged periods of time, the leaves may drop off and the plant may die.

Sundrops, also known as Oenothera fruticosa subsp. glauca, prefer plenty of sunlight for best growth. When in bloom, sundrops should receive full sun for at least 6 hours each day. During the summer months, they should receive full sun from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. In the winter months, they should receive full sun in the early mornings or late afternoons. Additionally, the plants can handle some filtered light during midday. When growing in a container, the sundrops should be rotated periodically to get even sunlight exposure.

In general, sundrops need minimal pruning; a light pruning as needed in late winter to mid-spring is all that is necessary. Pruning should be done by removing only the dead, diseased, or damaged stems and all flower stalks that have withered away. Any vigorous shoots should also be removed. It is important to prune before the growing season since the flower buds form on new wood. Do not prune back into old wood as this could result in fewer flowers for your sundrops. Finally, it is important to use clean, sharp pruning shears to avoid unnecessary damage to the plant.