Consulta Plantas

Care of the shrub Scaevola crassifolia or Cushion Fanflower

The genus Scaevola belongs to the Goodeniaceae family and includes about 130 species of shrubs and herbaceous plants with a cosmopolitan distribution. Some species are: Scaevola crassifolia, Scaevola humilis, Scaevola sericea, Scaevola coriacea, Scaevola nitida.

Common names: Cushion Fanflower, Thick-leaved Fanflower, Thick-leaved Scaevola. This species is native to Australia.

Scaevola crassifolia is a spreading evergreen shrub that reaches 1 metre in height and 1.5 metres (4.92 feet) in width. The thick, aromatic leaves with toothed margins are bright green. The attractive blue, white or lilac flowers are fan-shaped and appear in erect clusters above the leaves. It blooms from late winter to late spring; it may flower again in late summer.

Cushion Fanflower is used to form low hedges, in borders and flowerbeds, to cover slopes and in pots for patios and terraces. It is ideal for Mediterranean coastal gardens. It attracts bees and butterflies.

Scaevola crassifolia needs full sun exposure and a warm climate with some environmental humidity. It resists occasional frosts down to -6 ºC (25 °F).

Thick-leaved Fanflower grows in well-drained soils (especially sandy ones) for which we can use normal garden soil with plenty of coarse sand. The pot is transplanted in autumn.

Although it can withstand short droughts, Cushion Fanflower prefers regular watering at a rate of once a week so that the substrate does not dry out completely.

Fertilize at the beginning of spring with mineral fertilizer to encourage flowering.

Prune lightly at the beginning of spring to maintain a compact appearance, strengthen the plant and control its growth.

Scaevola crassifolia is a plant that is quite resistant to the usual pests and diseases.

Thick-leaved Fanflower is propagated from seeds sown in autumn or spring.

Images of the shrub Scaevola crassifolia or Cushion Fanflower