How to Grow Trailing Scaevola Outback Purple

Trailing Scaevola Outback Purple

Scaevola aemula 'Outback Purple'

flower

Trailing Scaevola Outback Purple is a cascading annual flower prized for its vibrant purple fan-shaped blooms and vigorous trailing habit. It produces abundant flowers throughout the growing season and is ideal for hanging baskets, containers, and window boxes. This cultivar is heat and drought-tolerant once established, making it a reliable choice for sunny garden displays.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; tolerates partial shade but flowers more abundantly in full sun

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Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; water when the top inch of soil is dry. In hot weather, may require daily watering in containers. Once established in garden soil, drought-tolerant.

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Spacing: 12-18 inches

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Days to maturity: 30-45 days to first flowers; continuous blooming thereafter

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Planting depth: Transplants should be planted at the same depth as the nursery pot; sow seeds on soil surface as they need light to germinate

Soil

Type: Well-draining potting soil or light loamy soil

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Peat moss or coco coir Perlite or coarse sand Compost for container growing

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 5-10; grown as an annual in cooler zones 3-4

3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a

Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny seedlings emerge with simple leaves; very small and delicate

Keep soil moist but not soggy; provide bright, indirect light; avoid damping off by ensuring good air circulation

Transplant

2-4 weeks

Young plants develop 2-4 sets of true leaves and establish shallow root systems

Pot up into slightly larger containers; harden off before planting outdoors; fertilize lightly with balanced fertilizer

Establishment

3-4 weeks

Plants begin to spread and branch; stems lengthen and fill out the container or planting area

Pinch back growing tips to encourage bushier growth; water regularly; apply balanced slow-release fertilizer

Flowering

8-12+ weeks (throughout growing season)

Abundant purple fan-shaped flowers appear along trailing stems; continuous bloom production

Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage more blooms; maintain consistent moisture and nutrition; watch for pests

Decline

Variable, depending on season

In fall or with frost, flowering slows and foliage may yellow; plants decline as temperatures drop

Remove plants after frost in cool zones; can be overwintered indoors in a cool, bright location in zones 9-10

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Trailing verbena Sweet potato vine Bacopa Petunias Calibrachoa Dusty Miller Ivy geranium Mandevilla

Avoid planting near:

Plants requiring dry conditions (sedums, echeveria) Plants sensitive to frequent fertilizing

Common Pests

Spray with water to dislodge; use neem oil or insecticidal soap; increase humidity; remove heavily infested leaves
Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects
Remove by hand with alcohol-soaked cotton swab; spray with insecticidal soap; isolate infested plants
Spray with water or insecticidal soap; use neem oil; introduce ladybugs

Uses

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Ornamental edible flowers

Culinary

While primarily ornamental, Scaevola flowers are edible and can garnish salads or desserts, adding a mild flavor and attractive purple color to dishes. [source]

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Container and hanging basket displays

Household

Trailing Scaevola Outback Purple is a premium choice for hanging baskets, window boxes, mixed containers, and cascading displays, providing color all season long with minimal maintenance. [source]

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Landscape color and erosion control

Household

Used in garden beds, borders, and slopes to provide ground cover, fill gaps between plantings, and stabilize soil with its dense trailing habit and spreading growth. [source]

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Pollinator attraction

Wildlife

The abundant purple flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making it a valuable addition to wildlife gardens and beneficial insect habitats. [source]

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Cut flowers and floral arrangements

Craft

The trailing stems and colorful blooms can be used in fresh floral arrangements, providing a delicate, cascading element to bouquets and decorative displays. [source]

Harvest Tips

Deadhead spent flowers regularly to maintain a neat appearance and encourage continuous blooming. Pinch back excessively long stems to control shape. No harvest needed for ornamental purposes, but you can cut stems for fresh arrangements.

Fun Facts

🌱 Scaevola is named from the Latin word 'scaeva,' meaning 'left-handed,' due to the asymmetrical, fan-shaped flowers that appear to only have petals on one side.
🌱 Trailing Scaevola Outback Purple is native to Australia and thrives in hot, sunny conditions, making it particularly well-suited to heat waves and challenging summer gardens.
🌱 This cultivar can produce hundreds of flowers over a single growing season, with new blooms continuously replacing old ones if properly maintained and deadheaded.

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