Flowers

Scaevola (Fan Flower): Timing, Spacing, Care & Bloom

Quick answer

Start indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost (NC). Transplant after last frost (Clemson). Soil ~65°F stays

Scaevola at a glance

PlantStart indoors: 8–6 wk before last frost; Transplant: last frost
SunFull sun to light shade; well-drained — root rot if too wet (Clemson).
SpacingTrailing habit for baskets and edges; give room to spill.
Days to bloomBlooms summer through frost (NC State)
-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1LF+1+2+3
■ Start indoors   ■ Plant out   ■ Harvest
Weeks relative to last frost (LF). Colored weeks show when our ZIP planner schedules each step.
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Updated

Fan flower (Scaevola aemula) — trailing tender perennial grown as an annual in most of the U.S.; perennial in zones 10–11 (NC).

Scaevola fan flower
Scaevola (Scaevola aemula). Photo: Nemracc, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (resized).

Sourced from university extension guides. For dates where you live, use the ZIP planting planner.

Planting timing

NC State: seed started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date. (NC Scaevola) Clemson: plant in spring after the last frost when soil temperatures reach 65°F (65°F = words companion). (Clemson scaevola)

Depth and spacing

Trailing habit for baskets and edges; give room to spill.

Sun, soil and water

Full sun to light shade; well-drained — root rot if too wet (Clemson).

Care and bloom

Fan-shaped flowers summer to frost (NC). Watch mealybugs (Clemson).

Pests and diseases

Mealybugs; root rot if too wet (Clemson). Drainage first.

Related: ZIP planner · planting calendars

Frequently asked questions

When do I start?

6–8 weeks before last frost (−8/−6).

When outside?

After last frost (0); soil ~65°F.

Zones?

Annual most places; perennial 10–11 (NC).

Sources