How to Grow Gaura (UK guide)
Sometimes called ‘Whirling Butterflies’, Gaura is a hardy perennial that brings clouds of delicate blooms to gardens from early summer into autumn. Popular for borders, wildlife gardens, and pots, it is a low-maintenance plant ideal for beginners and experienced gardeners alike.
Growing Gaura
Gaura lends a delicate texture to borders and containers with its wand-like stems and butterfly-shaped flowers. It thrives with minimal fuss in a sunny, well-drained spot. Once established, Gaura copes well with drought and needs little maintenance aside from occasional deadheading.
For the Bees
Long-flowering; Drought tolerant; Airy, natural style
How to Grow Gaura from Seed
- 01Fill trays with a free-draining seed compost lightly firmed down
- 02Sow Gaura seeds thinly and cover with a light dusting of compost or vermiculite
- 03Water gently and keep trays in a warm, bright place around 18°C
- 04Prick out seedlings into individual pots once large enough to handle
- 05Grow on in cooler conditions until established before planting out after last frosts
You will need
- 01Full sun
- 02Very well-drained soil
- 03Monthly feeding during growth
- 04Deadheading for longer flowering
Should I pinch Gaura seedlings?
Pinch out young Gaura tips in late spring to encourage bushier plants and more flower stems.
Plant Calendar
Gaura needs
Needs full sun
Gaura produces the best flowering when grown in a spot that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
Requires free-draining soil
Well-drained sandy or loamy soils help prevent root rot, which Gaura is sensitive to.
Low water after establishment
Once mature, Gaura tolerates drought and only needs occasional watering in very dry periods.
Light feeding is sufficient
A general-purpose liquid fertiliser used sparingly supports healthy flowering growth.
Gaura FAQs
Deadheading Gaura every week or so encourages new flowers to form throughout summer and into autumn. Remove spent flower stems as soon as blooms fade for the most continuous display.
Gaura grows well in pots at least 30cm wide and deep. Choose a peat-free multi-purpose compost mixed with extra grit or perlite for drainage, as they dislike soggy roots. Ensure the container has drainage holes.
Feed Gaura with a balanced liquid fertiliser every month from spring until midsummer. Avoid overfeeding, especially with nitrogen-rich feeds, as this can reduce flowering and make plants leggy.
Gaura is largely pest and disease free when grown in well-drained soil. Occasionally, young shoots may be nibbled by slugs or snails in spring, but mature plants are usually untroubled.