Nemesia Nemesia 'Innocence'

👤 Non-toxic to humans
🐾 Non-toxic to pets
🌸 Blooming
🍪 Not edible
‍🌱 Hard-care
aloha 'Innocence'

ABOUT

Nemesia 'Innocence' is a charming plant characterized by its profusion of delicate flowers that offer a pure and clean look, mirroring its name. The blossoms are predominantly white, sometimes with subtle shades or whispers of other soft colors. Each flower displays a classic two-lipped form; the upper lip is gently lobed while the lower one is broader and often adorned with a yellow or light-toned blotch at the center, which adds a touch of contrast and depth to the overall appearance. The foliage of Nemesia 'Innocence' is a lush, vibrant green, creating a contrasting backdrop that makes the white blooms stand out even more. The leaves are small to medium in size and have a lance-like or oblong shape, contributing to the plant's dense and bushy look. They are often finely toothed along the edges, which adds texture to the visual appeal of the plant. Together, the crisp flowers and vivacious leaves form a lush mound that can look frothy and delicate. This particular cultivar is appreciated for its longer blooming period and the ability to provide an extended display of its enchanting flowers. It presents a cheerful and pristine quality that makes it a popular choice for gardeners seeking to create a sense of tranquility or to accentuate other colors in the garden. The overall appearance of Nemesia 'Innocence' is one of gentle beauty and simplicity.

Plant Info
Care
Common Problems

About this plant

  • memoNames

    • Family

      Scrophulariaceae

    • Synonyms

      Cape Jewels, Baby Snapdragon

    • Common names

      Nemesia 'Innocence'

  • skullToxicity

    • To humans

      Nemesia is not widely known to be toxic to humans. As with many ornamental plants, it is not intended for ingestion, and consuming it in large amounts may cause digestive discomfort or an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals. Symptoms may include gastrointestinal upset such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. If a person suspects poisoning from eating any part of a Nemesia plant, they should seek medical attention.

    • To pets

      Nemesia is not widely recognized as a toxic plant to pets, but it is not considered edible either. Eating this plant could potentially lead to mild gastrointestinal irritation in some pets, especially if they consume a large quantity. Symptoms might include vomiting, diarrhea, or drooling. If a pet owner notices these symptoms after their animal has ingested Nemesia, they should consult a veterinarian.

  • infoCharacteristics

    • Life cycle

      Annuals

    • Foliage type

      Deciduous

    • Color of leaves

      Green

    • Flower color

      White

    • Height

      1 foot (30 centimeters

    • Spread

      1 foot (30 centimeters

    • Plant type

      Herb

    • Hardiness zones

      9

    • Native area

      South Africa

Benefits

  • money-bagGeneral Benefits

    • Attracts Pollinators: Nemesia flowers are known to attract bees and butterflies, which can help pollinate other plants in the garden.
    • Colorful Blooms: With its bright and cheerful flowers, Nemesia can add a splash of color to garden beds, borders, and containers.
    • Long Flowering Season: Nemesia 'Innocence' typically has an extended blooming period, providing flowers from spring through summer.
    • Compact Growth: It is a relatively small plant, which makes it suitable for spaces where larger plants cannot fit.
    • Easy Care: Nemesia is considered low maintenance and is relatively easy to care for, requiring minimal attention once established.
    • Versatility: It can be used in a variety of garden settings, including rock gardens, alpine displays, and as edging plants.
    • Cool Weather Tolerance: Nemesia can tolerate cooler temperatures, making them a good choice for spring and autumn plantings in a variety of climates.
    • Container Performance: They perform well in pots and hanging baskets, providing flexibility in garden design and placement.
    • Deer Resistant: Nemesia is not typically favored by deer, making it a good option for gardens in areas where deer browsing can be a problem.

  • medicalMedical Properties

    This plant is not used for medical purposes.

  • windAir-purifying Qualities

    This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.

  • leavesOther Uses

    • Nemesia 'Innocence' can be used as a natural dye source for fabrics, providing a soft color extracted from the flowers.
    • As a subject in photography, Nemesia 'Innocence' adds elegance to macro photography with its delicate structure and pastel colors.
    • These flowers can serve as an educational tool in botany classes to demonstrate plant structure and pollination, due to their distinctive morphology.
    • When dried, the petals of Nemesia 'Innocence' can be incorporated into homemade potpourri mixes to add a gentle fragrance and decorative touch.
    • Nemesia 'Innocence' can be planted to establish a thematic garden space, such as a white garden or moon garden, that features plants with white blooms or foliage.
    • The plant's flowers can be used to decorate cakes or desserts as a natural, edible embellishment, assuming they have been grown without harmful pesticides.
    • Nemesia 'Innocence' can be used in crafting, such as making bookmarks or greeting cards, by pressing the flowers and using them as delicate, natural decorations.
    • Extract from the flowers may be used in perfumery as a scent component for crafting unique and subtle fragrances.
    • In art projects, the petals of Nemesia 'Innocence' could be used to create natural mosaics or petal collages, harnessing their form and color to create a visual piece.
    • They can act as natural confetti for outdoor celebrations, making the event more eco-friendly than using plastic or paper confetti.

Interesting Facts

  • bedFeng Shui

    Nemesia is not used in Feng Shui practice.

  • aquariusZodiac Sign Compitability

    Nemesia is not used in astrology practice.

  • spiralPlant Symbolism

    • Purity - The name 'Innocence' along with its delicate white flowers often symbolizes purity and untainted beauty.
    • Simplicity - Nemesia are simple yet elegant flowers, representing a straightforward, fuss-free approach to life.
    • Child-like joy - The bright and playful nature of Nemesia blossoms can be reminiscent of the innocence and happiness found in childhood.
    • Fragility - The small and delicate structure of the Nemesia blooms may represent the fragile nature of life or relationships.
    • Friendship - Nemesias are often shared and grown in gardens suggesting ties to friendship, camaraderie, and making connections with others.

💧
Every 2-3 days
Water
☀️
2500 - 10000 Lux
Light
💦️
5%
Humidity
🪴
Every year
Repotting
🌱️
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation
✂️️
As needed
Pruning

  • water dropWater

    Nemesia, commonly known as cape jewels, should be watered regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. During the growing season, watering once or twice a week with about one to one and a half gallons per plant is generally sufficient, depending on climatic conditions. Reduce watering frequency during cooler or overcast weather to prevent root rot. It's crucial to check the top inch of soil for dryness before watering to ensure the plant actually needs additional moisture. Overwatering can lead to fungal diseases and should be avoided by ensuring good drainage.

  • sunLight

    Cape jewels prefer a position in the garden that enjoys full sun to partial shade. They thrive best with morning sunlight and some afternoon shade, especially in hotter climates. An ideal spot would be one where they receive around 6 hours of sunlight daily, ensuring enough light for abundant flowering without causing stress from the intense heat of the late afternoon sun.

  • thermometerTemperature

    Cape jewels are comfortable in a range of temperatures but perform best at temperatures between 60°F and 75°F. They can tolerate minimum temperatures down to about 30°F, but if the temperature drops below freezing, they risk being damaged or killed by the frost. During the hottest part of the summer, providing some shade can prevent heat stress if temperatures exceed 85°F.

  • scissorsPruning

    Pruning cape jewels helps to encourage bushier growth and more abundant blooms. Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, should be done regularly to promote continuous flowering throughout the season. Light pruning or pinching back of the stems can be done in the spring and throughout the growing season to maintain a desirable shape and size. The best time for more substantial pruning is late winter or early spring before new growth begins.

  • broomCleaning

    As needed

  • bambooSoil

    Cape Jewels prefer well-draining soil with a mix of peat, potting soil, and sand or perlite. The pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, around 5.5 to 7.

  • plantRepotting

    Cape Jewels should be repotted annually, ideally in the spring, as they are fast growers and can quickly become root-bound in pots.

  • water dropsHumidity & Misting

    Cape Jewels thrive in moderate to high humidity levels, ideally between 40-60%.

  • pinSuitable locations

    • Indoor

      Place Cape Jewels in a bright spot with indirect light.

    • Outdoor

      Plant in a sunny spot with some afternoon shade.

    • Hardiness zone

      9-11 USDA

  • circleLife cycle

    Nemesia 'Innocence', also known as Nemesia, begins its life cycle when seeds are sown in early spring after the last frost; they germinate in warm, moist soil within one to three weeks. Seedlings emerge and grow into young plants with characteristic green foliage and begin to develop flower buds. As temperatures rise in late spring to early summer, Nemesia 'Innocence' enters its blooming stage, producing delicate white flowers that attract pollinators. Following pollination, the flowers produce seed pods that eventually dry out and release seeds, thus completing the reproductive cycle. After flowering, the plant may start to decline, especially in regions with hot summers, as Nemesia prefers cooler temperatures. In temperate climates, if not deadheaded, it may self-seed and produce new plants the following spring, or it can be treated as an annual and removed after one season of growth.

  • sproutPropogation

    • Propogation time

      Spring-Early Summer

    • The most popular method of propagation for Nemesia 'Innocence', commonly known as "Nemesia", is through seed sowing. Seeds of Nemesia 'Innocence' should be sown in late winter to early spring, usually a few weeks before the last expected frost. Indoors, seeds can be started in trays filled with a well-draining seed starting mix. The tiny seeds should be sprinkled onto the surface of the soil and lightly pressed down, but not covered, as they need light to germinate. After watering gently, trays should be placed in a warm area, about 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 18-24 degrees Celsius), and kept moist but not waterlogged. Seedlings usually emerge in 10 to 14 days and can be transplanted outside after the danger of frost has passed and they have developed several true leaves.

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