Veronica is a plant that is as decorative for us as it is attractive for butterflies, since it has the ability to attract these precious pollinating insects to your garden in the warm months.
These are very striking plants, whose flowering can last for much of autumn and can embellish any corner of the home for very little. If you want to learn what are the veronica plant care at home, join us in this EcologíaVerde article.
Characteristics of the Veronica plant
Calls veronica are actually more than 450 species of plants from the Plantaginaceae family. They are mainly grouped into two large genera: Veronica, which includes herbaceous varieties, and the hebewhich has its origin in New Zealand and corresponds to the bush varieties, which can grow up to 1.5 meters in height if planted outdoors.
Although they are sometimes grown as annuals, they are perennial plants that grow with different shapes, with simple, opposite and evergreen leaves. The most striking thing about the plant in either case is always its inflorescences, which appear in flower spikesin bunches of bright colors violet, blue, purple, pink or white. These are full of nectar and attract butterflies, giving the plant its scientific name of Hebe, the Greek goddess of youth, who according to mythology served the other gods nectar and ambrosia for drink.
One of the most common veronica plants to grow at home is the hebe speciosawhich we will talk about next.
Location for the Veronica plant
Veronica plant can be cultivated both outdoors and indoors, depending on the best option of the specific characteristics of the climate in each case. In humid or temperate climates such as in the north of the Iberian Peninsula, speedwell can be planted without problems in full sun, but in warmer or drier areas the plant will prefer a location with semi-shade outdoors, or a very bright interior.
In the second case, it is advisable to place it near windows, but always protecting the plant from direct sunlight during the hours of most intense sun, which are midday. You also have to be careful with the mirror effect of the crystals.
It is common to see these plants in gardens and terraces of coastal areasand it is that they are species that are very resistant to salinity and that withstand the wind without too many problems as long as it is not very cold.
Climate for the Veronica plant
Most species of veronica can withstand light frost without taking too much risk, but they will not withstand very strong frosts for a long time. They do not resist intense heat as well, especially when it is accompanied by a dry environment. Therefore, in interior and warm areas it is better to grow them indoors, trying to protect them from the heat and provide them with moisture what do you need.
Watering the Veronica plant
The irrigation of this plant is moderate, trying to maintain a certain level of humidity in the substrate and always without exceeding it, since it tolerates drought well but not waterlogging, as occurs with most plant species. The best is water when the topsoil or substrate has dried out. In addition, in winter, it is convenient to space out the watering more, letting it dry a little beyond the superficial layer.
Soil or substrate for the Veronica plant
The most important thing about the substrate or the land for speedwell is that they offer a drainage as best as possible and make them light. In a pot, you can use the universal mix that we recommend with earthworm humus, peat and coconut fiber in equal parts, along with a handful of vermiculite and perlite.
To plant it in the ground in an outdoor area, you just have to examine which part of the garden does not retain water when irrigated and enrich the soil with some humus or compost. It is also advisable to mulch to help partially retain soil moisture while protecting the plant from both extreme cold and heat. It is best to resort to pine bark and compost for this.
Fertilizer for the Veronica plant
One of the few requirements that this grateful plant makes is regarding its nutrients: it needs soils rich in organic matterso both in a pot and in the garden you must provide it annually with earthworm humus, compost or any other organic fertilizer and ecological, applied at the beginning of the warm months around the base of the plant.
Here you can learn about the different types of compost.
Pruning and multiplication of the Veronica plant
In addition to the usual maintenance pruning remove the wilted or in poor condition parts of the plant, it is recommended pinch freshly wilted flowers, which will stimulate a more abundant flowering. The plant also tolerates training pruning, but it is important, as always, to do it with a very sharp and well disinfected knife or scissors.
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