Scaevola: Growth and Care Guide

Discover the versatile Scaevola, also known as the Fan Flower. Looking to enhance your garden with a heat-tolerant, cascading beauty? Add Scaevola plants to your garden today and enjoy their charm all season long!

Introduction to Scaevola

Scaevola, commonly called the Fan Flower, belongs to the Goodeniaceae family and originates from Australia and the Pacific Islands. Known for its fan-shaped blooms, Scaevola is a popular choice for hanging baskets, ground cover, and garden borders. This plant is loved for its heat and drought tolerance, long blooming period, and resistance to common pests and diseases. Whether you’re creatin vibrant container displays or low-maintenance garden beds, Scaevola delivers stunning results.

When I first planted Scaevola Bombay Blue, I was amazed by its resilience in the scorching summer heat. Its delicate, fan-shaped flowers never stopped blooming, creating a striking waterfall of color in my hanging baskets. The best part? Scaevola requires minimal maintenance, making it a perfect choice for gardeners of all levels.

Characteristics of Scaevola

If you’re looking for a low-maintenance, heat-tolerant plant that thrives in tough conditions, Scaevola is an excellent choice. Scaevola’s unique fan-shaped flowers come in shades of blue, purple, white, pink and recently yellow, making it a standout in any garden. Its trailing growth habit makes it ideal for cascading over the edges of pots or as ground cover. Scaevola blooms from spring to fall, providing consistent color throughout the growing season without the need for deadheading.

Size and Growth Habit

Scaevola, commonly known as fan flower, is a low-growing, trailing plant that typically reaches heights of 6–12 inches while spreading up to 2–3 feet wide. Its sprawling growth habit makes it ideal for cascading over the edges of hanging baskets, window boxes, or decorative pots, creating a lush, flowing effect. In garden beds, Scaevola serves as an excellent ground cover, quickly filling in bare patches with its dense foliage and spreading stems. 

This plant's vigorous yet controlled growth allows it to soften edges along pathways or borders without becoming invasive. Its ability to thrive in a variety of settings, from sunny garden beds to containers, adds to its appeal as a versatile and easy-to-grow choice for gardeners. Scaevola is also highly drought-tolerant once established, making it a popular option for xeriscaping or low-maintenance landscapes.

Leaves and Flowers

Scaevola’s foliage consists of small, slightly serrated, green leaves that form a dense and attractive mat. The leaves are understated yet provide the perfect backdrop to highlight the plant’s vibrant, eye-catching blooms. This dense foliage not only enhances its ornamental value but also helps suppress weeds in garden beds. 

The fan-shaped flowers, Scaevola's signature feature, are uniquely asymmetrical, with petals radiating from one side of the flower head, giving them a distinctive and elegant appearance. These blooms come in a range of striking colors, including blue, purple, white, pink and most recently yellow, adding dynamic contrast to the plant's lush greenery. Flowering begins in late spring and continues well into the fall, with blooms that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making Scaevola a valuable addition to pollinator-friendly gardens. The plant’s self-cleaning nature means the flowers drop off on their own, eliminating the need for deadheading and ensuring a continuously fresh and tidy appearance.

Is Scaevola Annual or Perennial?

Scaevola’s classification as an annual or perennial depends on the growing climate. In USDA Hardiness Zones 9–11, it is a tender perennial that thrives year-round, providing a consistent display of lush foliage and colorful blooms. In these zones, it can serve as a permanent feature in garden beds, hanging baskets, or containers, where it continues to flourish without interruption. In cooler climates, Scaevola is grown as an annual, thriving during the growing season and providing months of vibrant color and texture before the first frost. 

Its resilience to heat and drought makes it an excellent choice for hot summers, even in regions where it cannot overwinter. Gardeners in cooler areas often pot Scaevola for portability, allowing them to bring it indoors for overwintering or to enjoy it as a temporary but stunning seasonal feature. This adaptability ensures Scaevola can be enjoyed by gardeners in a wide range of climates.

Best Varieties of Scaevola Tested

Best Variety #1: Surdiva Series

This year, the Surdiva Series finally got what it deserved … the #1 variety. The trial testing for all colors have consistently ranked 4.8 to 5.0 for years and this is one of the best branched Scaevola on the market, but its popularity among gardeners waned. Finally and deservedly, Surdiva has surged in popularity and the genetics are there to support it. It's the happy ending we all have been waiting for … congratulations to the breeder, Suntory Flowers.

Best Variety #2: Bombay Series

The Bombay series has been a long-standing Scaevola series. There are no recent rankings … but it has been very popular amongst gardeners for decades, thus earning it a #2 spot.

Best Variety #3: Whirlwind Series

The Whirlwind Series White, Pink and Blue have been trial tested since 2018 and they always rank 4.8-5. As their popularity has increased, their trial test results have remained above 4.8. They are a solid #3, vying for #2.

Best Variety #4:  Scalora Series

The Scalora series ranks in trials from 4.8 - 5.0 on its Brilliant (lavender blue), Pearl (white), Topaz Pink (pink) and its Suntastic Imp (yellow) colors. It has the genetics and it deserves #4. The problem is that it is not popular with gardeners … yet. Looking forward to this variety moving up in rankings.

Honorable Mention: Stardiva Series

The entire plant industry and gardeners alike are always eagerly awaiting the latest innovation to hit the market. Enter the Stardiva series by Proven Winners. Unlike most Scaevola, this plant features a unique five-petaled star shape rather than the usual fan shape. However, the results from the trials didn't quite meet our expectations, with average ratings falling below our standard of 4.8-5.0 and inconsistent reporting for some species in one set of trials. While we can acknowledge this plant with an honorable mention, it falls short of earning the "Best Variety" slot this year. Let's hope for better performance and consistency in future trials.

Honorable Mention: Fairy Series and Blessings Series

Both the Fairy Series and the Blessings Series offer high rankings in the 4.8-5.0 range particularly for Fairy Pink and Blessings Pink, Lavender & Bi-Color Lavender. They deserve honorable mention while they build their brand. Good luck to all.

How to Grow & Care for Scaevola

Scaevola thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it perfect for hot, dry climates. This drought-tolerant plant requires minimal watering once established and benefits from occasional feeding to maintain its vibrant flowers. With its naturally self-cleaning habit, Scaevola requires little maintenance, making it an ideal choice for gardeners seeking low-effort, long-lasting beauty.

Planting Scaevola

Plant Scaevola after the last frost in spring to ensure it thrives in the warm conditions it prefers. Select a sunny location or a container with excellent drainage, as proper drainage is essential for its health. The plant grows best in sandy or loamy soil with a pH range of 6.0–7.5, so if your soil is heavy or clay-based, amend it with sand or compost to improve aeration and water flow. Space the plants 12–18 inches apart to allow for optimal airflow and room to spread. While Scaevola can tolerate partial shade, full sun (at least 6 hours daily) encourages the best flowering and healthiest growth.

Sunlight Requirements

Scaevola thrives in full sun, where it receives ample light to produce its vibrant, fan-shaped flowers. In areas with partial shade, it can still grow, but the plant may produce fewer blooms and exhibit slower growth. Providing at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily ensures that Scaevola remains healthy and floriferous throughout the growing season. In very hot climates, some light afternoon shade can help prevent excessive stress, but overall, this plant performs best in bright, sunny conditions.

Soil Requirements

This plant prefers well-draining soil that mimics its native sandy or loamy conditions. Ideal soil pH is between 6.0 and 7.5, supporting healthy root development and nutrient uptake. In areas with heavy clay soil, adding sand or organic matter like compost can improve drainage and aeration, helping to prevent waterlogging. Scaevola’s ability to tolerate poor soil conditions makes it versatile, but ensuring proper drainage is crucial for preventing root rot and maintaining long-term health.

Watering Needs

Water Scaevola regularly during its establishment phase to help develop a strong root system. Once established, it becomes drought-tolerant, requiring watering only when the soil is dry to the touch. Deep, infrequent watering is best, as it encourages roots to grow deeper and increases the plant’s overall resilience to dry conditions. Avoid overwatering, as waterlogged soil can lead to root rot and stunted growth.

Scaevola is one of if not the best drought tolerant trailing annual out of all the trailing annuals on the market. If it dries, it can be rehydrated without loss of flowers or discoloration of foliage, thus making it #1 in drought tolerance. 

Fertilizer Needs

Scaevola benefits from a balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied at the time of planting to support its initial growth. During the growing season, applying a liquid fertilizer every 4–6 weeks helps sustain continuous blooms and keeps the plant healthy. Avoid over-fertilizing, as excessive nutrients can lead to leggy growth at the expense of flowers. A consistent feeding schedule ensures vibrant, long-lasting blooms throughout the season.

Pruning & Deadheading

One of Scaevola’s best features is its self-cleaning nature, meaning no deadheading of blooms is required to keep it looking fresh. Additionally, Scaevola tends to have superior compactability and self-branching. Consequently, very little maintenance is required to keep this plant looking great all season. Pruning the stems back by a few inches mid-season can encourage bushier growth and a more compact shape. This light pruning also promotes additional blooms, ensuring the plant remains full and vibrant. Occasional maintenance helps keep Scaevola looking its best with minimal effort.

Overwintering

In USDA Zones 9–11, Scaevola can overwinter outdoors with minimal protection, as it tolerates mild winter conditions. In colder climates, potted Scaevola should be moved indoors to a sunny, frost-free location to protect it from freezing temperatures. Overwintered plants require less watering and care during dormancy but will return to full vigor when reintroduced outdoors in spring.

Common Pests

While Scaevola is generally pest-resistant, it may occasionally encounter issues with aphids or spider mites. Aphids and spider mites can be treated with insecticidal soap and neem oil. Leaf miners transmitted from infected Scaevola is also an occasional problem. Inspect your plants before you buy them for leaf miner. Regularly inspecting plants ensures early detection and effective management of any infestations.

Common Diseases

Root rot is a rare but potential concern for Scaevola, caused by overwatering or poorly draining soil. To prevent this, plant Scaevola in well-drained soil and allow the topsoil to dry out between waterings. Proper care and maintenance keep Scaevola healthy and disease-free.

Common Mistakes

Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes when growing Scaevola, often leading to root rot and poor growth. Planting in areas with poor drainage or providing insufficient sunlight can also hinder its performance, resulting in fewer blooms and less vigorous growth. Neglecting to prune occasionally can cause the plant to become leggy, reducing its overall visual appeal. Paying attention to these factors ensures Scaevola thrives with minimal issues.

Common Misconceptions

Scaevola is a hot weather plant. It is late to begin blooming in the spring, thus resulting in it being overlooked by many gardeners. However, once it begins to flower, it thrives in the heat and continues flowering even in extreme temperatures. While often grown in containers, Scaevola also excels as a ground cover, spreading beautifully over garden beds or cascading down slopes, proving its versatility in various gardening applications. As a groundcover, it is overlooked which is a sad shame.

Using Scaevola in the Garden

Scaevola is a versatile plant that adds a touch of elegance to gardens with its vibrant, fan-shaped blooms. Its trailing habit makes it perfect for hanging baskets, window boxes, or cascading over the edges of containers, creating a lush, flowing effect. Additionally, Scaevola works beautifully as ground cover in sunny garden beds, where it forms a dense, colorful mat that requires minimal upkeep.

Hanging Baskets

Scaevola’s trailing growth habit and profusion of fan-shaped flowers make it a standout choice for hanging baskets. Its cascading stems spill gracefully over the edges, creating a waterfall of vibrant color that adds dynamic movement to patios, porches, or balconies. The plant thrives in sunny locations, where its blooms remain prolific throughout the growing season, even in hot and dry conditions. Its self-cleaning nature ensures a tidy appearance with minimal maintenance, making it an easy yet striking option for decorating outdoor spaces. Paired with other trailing or upright plants, Scaevola enhances the visual appeal of mixed arrangements in hanging baskets.

Ground Cover

As a low-growing, spreading plant, Scaevola is highly effective for covering bare ground in sunny garden beds or along slopes. Its dense foliage helps suppress weeds, while its vibrant blooms add a splash of color and texture to the landscape. Scaevola’s ability to thrive in sandy or rocky soils and tolerate drought conditions makes it ideal for challenging areas where other plants may struggle. It is particularly useful for xeriscaping or coastal gardens, where its resilience and vibrant appearance contribute to a low-maintenance, water-wise design. Scaevola’s spreading habit allows it to fill gaps quickly, creating a cohesive and attractive ground cover.

Border Edging

Scaevola’s compact growth and colorful, long-lasting flowers make it a natural choice for edging garden borders or pathways. Its tidy, low profile defines the edges of beds while adding visual interest with its unique fan-shaped blooms. The plant’s ability to withstand heat and drought ensures it remains vibrant and attractive, even in challenging weather conditions. When used as an edging plant, Scaevola pairs beautifully with taller perennials or ornamental grasses, creating a harmonious and layered look. Its versatile nature allows it to complement a variety of garden styles, from formal designs to casual, cottage-style landscapes.

Blooms That Won’t Quit