How to Grow and Care for Blue Daze Plant

The Blue Daze plant (Evolvulus glomeratus) is a low-growing plant celebrated for its striking, true-blue flowers. These blossoms appear continuously from spring until the first frost. Its spreading, trailing habit makes it a versatile choice for ground cover, border plantings, or as a spiller element in container gardens and hanging baskets.

Blue Daze Care Essentials

For prolific blooming, Blue Daze requires a location that receives at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day. While it can handle a small amount of midday shade, its flower production is greatest in a consistently sunny spot. A south-facing location is often ideal for providing the necessary light.

This plant performs best in soil that drains well and is tolerant of sandy or nutritionally poor soils. The primary concern is preventing waterlogged conditions, as the roots are susceptible to rot. When planting in containers, a standard potting mix that allows for good drainage is suitable. For in-ground plantings, amend heavy clay soil with organic matter to improve its texture and drainage.

Once established, Blue Daze demonstrates good drought tolerance. For the best performance and flowering, it benefits from consistent watering. Water the plant whenever the top inch of soil feels dry. During its first year, more regular watering helps it develop a strong root system.

As a native of Brazil, Blue Daze thrives in heat and humidity. It is a tender perennial and not tolerant of frost. In USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11, it can be grown as a perennial, while in colder climates, it is treated as an annual. A layer of mulch can help protect the plant from light frosts in transitional zones.

Blue Daze is not a heavy feeder and performs well with minimal fertilization. Applying a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the spring is often sufficient for the season. Alternatively, you can provide a diluted liquid fertilizer monthly during its active growing and blooming period.

Pruning for Fuller Growth

Pruning is beneficial for maintaining the appearance and vigor of Blue Daze. Over time, its trailing stems can become sparse or “leggy,” with foliage concentrated at the tips. Regular trimming encourages the plant to branch out, leading to a fuller, more compact shape.

This new growth results in a bushier plant with more flowering stems. The ideal time to prune is whenever the plant starts to look overgrown, which often occurs around mid-summer. Blue Daze responds well to being cut back and regenerates quickly.

The pruning technique is straightforward. Simply trim the stems back by about one-third of their length using clean pruning shears or scissors. This will prompt the plant to send out fresh shoots from the nodes below the cuts, refreshing its appearance and boosting flower production.

Solving Common Issues

Pests such as spider mites and whiteflies are occasionally drawn to the plant, especially when it is stressed by hot, dry conditions. You can identify spider mites by fine webbing on the undersides of leaves, while whiteflies are small insects that fly up when disturbed. An application of insecticidal soap or horticultural oil can help manage these pests.

A common concern is a lack of flowers, which is almost always caused by insufficient sunlight. The plant is also self-cleaning, meaning it does not require deadheading to continue blooming.

Propagating Blue Daze

Blue Daze is easily propagated by taking softwood stem cuttings, which creates new plants identical to the parent. The best time to take cuttings is in late spring or early summer when the plant is in a state of active growth, ensuring the stems have a higher chance of rooting.

Select a healthy stem and take a cutting that is four to six inches long, making the cut just below a leaf node. Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting to prevent them from rotting. Dipping the cut end into a rooting hormone powder can increase the odds of successful root development.

Insert the prepared cutting into a pot with moist, well-draining potting mix. Place the pot in a warm location with bright, indirect light and keep the soil consistently moist. Within a few weeks, the cutting should develop roots and show new growth.