Gypsophila, or as it is more commonly called, Babies Breath, has been popular with the florist trade for yonks and yonks. Strangely most of it that gets to the UK started life off in Peru… don’t get me started on air miles… grrrrrrr.
It loves chalk soils… the clue is in the name if you are a Latin geeky kind of chap or chapess… gypso phila=chalk loving.
Fantastically it seems that this wonderful little plant may help to cure lukemia… on going tests look promising… go, gyspo, go!
Gypsophila is a bushy plant with a branching habit, she has dainty white flowers on her slender stems. Perhaps a bit old fashioned or uncool for some tastes… but not for mine… I put it with loads of arrangements. It softens things up and adds ‘space’.
Granny Flip Flop says it reminds her of her first love Harry Shoe Lace who won her over with some knicker elastic and a smooth fox trot.
How to grow Gypsophila
*I tend to sow mine where they are to flower as they don’t like root disturbance.
*Find a bed in full sun… they will love you for it.
*Sow thinly in pre-watered drills.
*Cover very lightly with soil.
*I sow my first row in mid March and then sow a row every few weeks until the end of May. I sow a final batch in Autumn. The ones I sowed last Autumn… started flowering in November… disaster… had to dig them up… they were sown in late August and the mild winter brought them on too early. This year I will sow in September.
*They may need staking if your patch isn’t sheltered.
*Keep them moist but not waterlogged.
*Thin to about a foot apart.
*They should germinate in about a fortnight.
Any questions or helpful hints? Please post in the comments box below and I’ll get back to you.
You can buy Gypsophila seeds in the Higgledy Shop.
Happy Gypsophilaing!
Benjamin
April 17, 2014 @ 7:16 pm
Hello Ben, never grown Gypsophila before, can it be grown in pots??
Thank you Stephanie
March 23, 2014 @ 9:10 pm
I have bought a gyp root should I soak this root before planting? It is the size of small finger
March 17, 2013 @ 10:32 pm
Hello, if I sow some gyp now when will it flower? Thanks
March 18, 2013 @ 7:34 am
First off I would only sow mid March if you are very south…and pref south west….otherwise leave it until April…seedlings can take a light frost…but a sharp one may get ’em. They take 12 weeks to flower from sowing…it’s a good idea to sow some more every three weeks to get a constant supply.
June 29, 2012 @ 7:47 pm
I have planted these amongst my Dahlia plants , make a great filler and give the set up a soft feel of white haze amongst the strong And large Dahlia flowers
March 29, 2012 @ 1:11 am
I’m considering planting these in my yard. The soil is rough though, like clay (I live in Alabama). Any suggestions for planting them in clay-like soil? Should I just plant them in pots?
March 29, 2012 @ 8:36 am
Hi Heather, They are fine clay…though if you could add a little organic material so that some air stays in the soil all the better. I’d try both and see how you get on….and please let us know.
Thanks for posting…have a great season. :)
March 21, 2012 @ 12:34 pm
Hi Ben,
is this the same as the little fleshy roots you can buy in garden shops-had some last year and it never flowered?
March 26, 2012 @ 3:14 pm
Probably not…Gyp is usually very easy to get to flower…unless you sowed it very late or it didn’t get enough water.