Diascia (Twinspur) Ultimate Growth and Care Guide
Diascia, commonly known as Twinspur, is a charming flowering plant prized for its delicate, snapdragon-like blooms that spill gracefully from containers and garden beds. Native to South Africa, this sun-loving annual or perennial thrives in cool weather and produces a stunning display of pink, coral, peach, or white flowers from spring through fall. Its trailing habit and long bloom period make it a favorite choice for hanging baskets, window boxes, and colorful borders.
In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about growing and caring for Diascia successfully in your garden or containers. From ideal growing conditions to maintenance tips, we’ll help you keep your Twinspur plants healthy and blooming beautifully all season long.
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By: Reggie Meehan (10/25/2025)
Introduction To Diascia
Diascia, commonly known as Twinspur, is a charming flowering plant celebrated for its long-lasting blooms and versatility. A member of the Scrophulariaceae family and native to South Africa, Diascia is known for its vibrant, tubular flowers and a mounding to trailing growth habit. Recent advances in breeding have resulted in mounding to upright varieties.
Diascia thrive is a cool season bloomer, so while it may thrive in sunny, well-drained locations in the North, it is best in part-sun locations in the South. Recent advances include upright Diascia varieties such as Juliet Rose, perennial varieties like Diascia Coral Canyon, and varieties such as Diascia Trinity Sunset which are purported to provide continuous color from spring through fall.
The plant's unique flowers, featuring two spurs at the back, are what inspired its common name, Twinspur. These blooms appear in profusion over an extended period, ensuring a lively display throughout the growing season. Diascia’s adaptability and prolific blooming make it a favorite among gardeners seeking both style and low-maintenance performance. Whether brightening a sunny border or spilling gracefully over the edges of a pot, Diascia brings a touch of elegance and vibrant charm to outdoor spaces.
With my love of bold colors, it was of course Diascia Darla Red that I first planted as an accent plant in my part-sun containers. I’ll be honest, my plants suffered from chronic abuse that year due to health reasons. I knew that Diascia would not be showy in the summer, but the other plants in my part-sun planter flourished. Then, come October, my showy summer plants receded and Diascia Darla Red was again at the forefront, blooming and showing off. Again, I am reminded that Diascia is a cool season bloomer and we all should treat it like that. Incorporating cool season bloomers in pots will ensure that you have longevity of blooms till first frost, after the showy plants have spent themselves to death.
That being said, a fellow colleague had a better story of Diascia Light Pink that needs to be told. She has a part sun yard where no more than 3 hours of direct sunlight will penetrate every day. She planted Diascia Light PInk and pinched it regularly, meaning long blossom stems were pinched periodically, which resulted in greater growth. She did explain that the plant did not bloom as fully in the throes of summer. But, in mid-October, her Darla Light PInk was still blooming beautifully while the surrounding plants had bloomed out or were too leggy to consider. It does go to show that plants will thrive when placed in the correct environment.
Characteristics of Diascia (Twinspur)
Diascia is a beloved choice for gardeners due to its vibrant blooms, low-maintenance nature, and adaptability to various settings. Its ability to thrive in small spaces and larger landscapes makes it a versatile plant for both novice and experienced gardeners. The colorful flowers and lush foliage add charm and character to gardens, patios, and containers.
Size and Growth Habit
Diascia plants typically grow to a height of 6–12 inches, with some varieties spreading as wide as 24 inches. Their growth habit varies from compact and mounding to trailing, making them highly versatile for different planting purposes. These characteristics make Diascia an excellent choice for edging borders, where their tidy appearance defines garden beds, or for cascading beautifully over the edges of containers and hanging baskets. Their adaptability allows them to blend seamlessly into a variety of garden styles, from structured and formal landscapes to whimsical, cottage-inspired designs. Whether used as a focal point or filler, Diascia brings elegance and charm to any setting.
Leaves and Flowers
The foliage of Diascia consists of small, bright green, oval-shaped leaves that form a dense and tidy base, providing the perfect backdrop for its vivid blooms.
The flowers, tubular in shape with their distinctive twin spurs at the back, are a unique feature of the plant. These spurs store nectar, making Diascia a favorite among pollinators such as bees, which adds ecological value to its ornamental appeal. Available in a range of colors, including coral, pink, orange, white, and purple, the blooms create striking displays that can be customized to suit any garden palette. The abundant and vibrant flowers stand out against the lush foliage, ensuring a visually stunning effect throughout the growing season.
Is Diascia Annual or Perennial?
Diascia is a perennial in USDA Zones 9 and 10, flourishing in regions with mild, frost-free winters where it can grow and bloom year-round. In cooler climates, it is treated as an annual, providing a burst of colorful flowers from spring to fall before being affected by frost. For gardeners in colder zones, Diascia can be overwintered indoors, allowing the plants to return for another growing season, or simply replanted each spring. Its ability to adapt to different climates and growing conditions makes it a reliable and rewarding choice for gardeners seeking continuous color and versatility in their outdoor spaces.
Best Varieties of Diascia (Twinspur) TESTED
Not a single variety of Diascia has ever received a trial rating above 4.8. This is probably because Diascia is not designed to thrive in full sun and does best in cooler weather. Only limited Diascia varieties will continue to bloom in the throes of summer, and usually this is only if they are placed in part sun environments. Consequently, the standards for judging Diascia based on blooms all season long in the full hot sun will never afford us the data that fairly judge Diascia, which is a cool season bloomer. For that reason, when rating the best Diascia, we used factors including internet searches, popularity with growers, and other factors discussed below.
Best Variety #1: Diascia Darla Series
Syngenta Flowers’ Darla Series of Diascia rules. It is a big mass of flowers that leads to an even greater mass of tangled flowers. It is the most popular series, primarily because it has been around for forever and thus is the variety with which consumers are most familiar. It is the second most sought-after series in internet searches. But, as other series of Diascia become more popular, Darla may lose its ranking …
The Darla series are characterized by sprawling plants that reach about 10–12 inches tall and 12–24 inches wide. It thrives in full sun to part sun. However, it provides only cool season color, meaning early to late spring and again in the fall. Flowering may pause during extreme summer heat, then resume as temperatures cool. All colors of the Darla series are equally popular.
Best Variety #2: Diascia Piccadilly Series
The Piccadilly series from Selecta One, is a mounded series growing 7–9 inches tall and 8–10 inches wide. It prefers part sun and is prized for its large flowers on short stems, early bloom, and cool-season performance. Piccadilly™ shines in early spring and fall, but may decline or stop blooming in midsummer heat, especially in southern zones. Piccadilly™ Pink stands out as the top seller—outselling other individual colors by a factor of four. Its popularity is undeniable, yet the reason behind its appeal remains a mystery, even to AI. I’m genuinely excited to trial it myself and uncover what makes this particular pink so irresistible.
Best Variety #3: Diascia Trinity Series
The Trinity™ series, developed by Danziger, offers upright to mounded plants approximately 12–14 inches tall and 12–16 inches wide. It performs best in full sun and is known for its large flowers and strong branching. Trinity™ cultivars bloom from spring through summer, with better heat tolerance than older types, though some fade may occur in peak heat. The Trinity Sunset variety is the most popular, selling double the other colors. Note that in the South, I’d try this in afternoon shade for best performance.
Best Variety #4: Diascia Juliet
The Juliet™ series, bred by Ball FloraPlant, features compact upright plants about 6–8 inches tall and 4–6 inches wide. It thrives in full sun to part sun, and blooms from early spring through autumn. In hot climates, flowering may slow or stall in midsummer. This series makes a great well-mannered filler.
Diascia Coral Canyon
Coral Canyon Diascia is the variety most often searched for on the internet. Who knew? This hardy perennial variety (advertised to be cold hardy to Zone 5, but other documents say Zone 7) features coral-pink flowers with an upright and trailing habit, with blooms that are supposed to last all summer. A High Country Gardens introduction, they suggest it “is one of the best new perennial introductions of the past 25 years.” We trial tested it in 2025 in a part sun environment, appropriate for hot and humid Southern summers. It did not bloom all summer and it was more of a trailer than upright. That said, it was gorgeous when it was blooming and as a perennial, its foliage remained attractive throughout the summer. Can’t wait to trial it again next year.
Diascia Sundiascia®
Sundiascia® is a completely new form of diascia with a unique, upright habit and tall sturdy flower spikes. This variety is more heat tolerant with an extended bloom time. A great thriller component as it looks a lot like angelonia. Although this plant does not have the popularity among growers or consumers yet, it receives an honorable mention because we all want another upright flowering plant to meet our filler needs. Can’t wait to trial test this.
How to Grow & Care for Diascia (Twinspur)
Diascia is an easy-to-grow plant that thrives with minimal care, making it a favorite for gardeners seeking long-lasting color. With the right growing conditions, it will reward you with vibrant blooms throughout the season. Here are detailed tips to keep your Diascia healthy and flourishing.
Planting Diascia
Plant Diascia in the spring after all danger of frost has passed, as the annual varieties do not tolerate freezing temperatures. Select a sunny location with well-draining soil, although light shade is acceptable in hotter climates to prevent stress. Space plants 12–18 inches apart to promote airflow and allow room for their mounding or trailing growth habit. When planting in containers, opt for a lightweight potting mix with excellent drainage to ensure the roots don’t sit in water.
For Coral Canyon perennial Diascia, if you live in Zones 7 & 8, planting in the fall is best, as this will allow roots to develop during winter dormancy. In Zones 5 & 6, planting in the spring is probably best to allow roots to establish for a longer period of time before the extreme cold.
Sunlight Requirements
Diascia thrives in full sun, needing at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to produce abundant blooms. However, it tolerates partial shade, particularly in regions with intense afternoon heat. Providing a balance of sunlight and slight shade ensures the plant stays healthy and blooming vigorously throughout the season.
Soil Requirements
Diascia prefers well-draining soil enriched with organic matter to provide adequate nutrients for its growth. A neutral to slightly acidic pH, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0, is ideal for optimal plant health. Avoid planting in heavy, clay soils or waterlogged areas, as poor drainage can quickly lead to root rot and other issues.
Watering Needs
Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy, especially during the plant’s establishment period. During hot or dry spells, increase watering to prevent wilting and ensure the plant stays hydrated. For container-grown Diascia, check moisture levels frequently, as pots tend to dry out more quickly than garden beds.
Fertilizer Needs
Feed Diascia with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4–6 weeks during the growing season to support continuous blooming. Be cautious not to over-fertilize, as this can result in excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowers. A consistent, moderate feeding schedule will keep your plant looking lush and colorful.
Pruning & Maintenance
Trim spent blooms regularly to encourage the plant to produce more flowers throughout the season. One smart practice is to pinch back one stalk every 3 weeks because failure to remove spent stalks will result in a plant covered with spent stalks that no longer bloom. Also, trim back any leggy or overgrown stems to maintain a neat, compact shape. At the end of the growing season, prune perennial Diascia varieties to the ground or overwinter your annual varieties indoors to prepare for the next season. If you fail to cut back stalks every few weeks, cut back heavily before summer to inspire growth and future blooms.
Overwintering
In USDA Zones 9–10, annual Diascia can survive mild winters with minimal protection, such as mulch around the base. For colder climates, move container-grown Diascia indoors to a bright, frost-free location before the first frost. Most commonly found Diascia are p. But for the Darla series (except the and for Coral Canyon Diascia that are not patented, you can propagate cuttings in late summer to keep the plant going indoors until the following spring.
Note that Coral Canyon Diascia is supposedly winter hardy to Zone 5, though other data suggest only to Zone 7. Coral Canyon is a relatively new Diascia variety so only time will tell about its hardiness. Sorry.
Common Pests
Diascia is generally pest-resistant but may occasionally be affected by aphids, thrip, or whiteflies. Regular inspection and prompt treatment with insecticidal soap for aphids, neem oil for mites and spinosad for thrip can prevent infestations. For white fly, any of the aforementioned can be used. Maintaining good airflow around the plant also helps deter pests.
Note that when spraying for pests, you must spray the underside of the leaves where the pests reside in order to effectively eliminate them. If daytime temperatures rise above 90°F, apply neem oil in the late evening and rinse it off the next morning. This prevents the oil from intensifying under sunlight, which can scorch the plant.
Common Diseases
Root rot is the most common issue for Diascia, often caused by overwatering or planting in poorly draining soil. Address any fungal issues promptly with appropriate fungicides if needed.
Common Mistakes
Overwatering is a frequent mistake that leads to root rot and other water-related problems. Planting in too much shade reduces flowering and can cause the plant to become leggy. Failing to deadhead spent blooms may result in fewer flowers over time, diminishing the plant’s visual appeal.
Common Misconceptions
Some gardeners believe that Diascia doesn’t bloom all season, and they are correct in many situations and with many of the hybrids. However, in Zones 8 and up, and maybe even Zone 7, Diascia will respond better if placed in an afternoon shade environment. And, as Diascia breeders foster further improvements with Diascia, and with proper planting locations, Diascia should continue flowering from spring until frost. One method to keep it blooming is to ensure its spent blooms are cut off in the late spring, to thus promote blooming in the summer.
Others think Twinspur is challenging to grow in containers, yet it thrives beautifully with well-draining soil and regular watering. While Diascia is tender, it can be overwintered indoors to ensure continuity in colder climates.
Using Diascia in the Garden
Diascia is a highly adaptable plant, valued for its versatility and vibrant blooms. Whether cascading from containers or adding color to borders, it enhances any garden setting with charm and ease of care.
Hanging Baskets and Containers
Diascia's trailing growth habit makes it a stunning choice for hanging baskets and containers. Its bright flowers cascade beautifully over edges, providing a pop of color to patios, balconies, and porches. Combine Diascia with complementary plants like Lobelia or Ivy for dynamic, layered arrangements that add depth to container displays. Thanks to its compact size and prolific blooming, Diascia thrives in small spaces, bringing vibrant energy to urban gardens or tight corners where larger plants might overwhelm.
Borders and Edging
Diascia is an excellent option for adding color and structure to garden borders and pathways. Perennial varieties such as Diascia Coral Canyon or the wildly popular annual Diascia Piccadilly Pink create neat borders that add definition and interest to flower beds. Its long bloom period ensures consistent color throughout the growing season, making it an attractive alternative to higher-maintenance edging plants. Use it to soften hardscapes like brick or stone paths, where its vibrant blooms provide a cheerful contrast.
Rock Gardens
Perennial Diascia particularly thrives in rock gardens due to its drought tolerance and preference for well-drained soils. Pair it with other drought-tolerant plants, such as Sedum or creeping Thyme, for a cohesive, low-maintenance garden that can withstand challenging conditions. Diascia’s vibrant flowers bring life to rocky settings, breaking up monotone textures and creating focal points that draw attention.
Diascia Delivers Cascading Color
Looking to grow Diascia in your garden? At Garden Delivery, we offer top-performing Diascia plants known for their delicate, snapdragon-like blooms and graceful trailing habit. Perfect for early-season color, Diascia shines in cool weather and adds soft charm to hanging baskets, containers, and garden borders. Available in shades of coral, pink, apricot, and white, Diascia creates a romantic, airy effect with minimal maintenance. Our selections are sourced from trusted growers and chosen for strong bloom power and garden reliability. Add Diascia to your garden today for an early burst of color and effortless spring beauty.