When to plant Godetia in Temperate Australia

Temperate zone — applies to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Newcastle and similar areas. Growing elsewhere? Cool · Subtropical · Tropical · Arid.

Sow godetia direct from February to June, timing it for the cooling autumn soil so plants establish and flower through the cooler months into spring. Cover the seed at 5 mm; it germinates in 14 to 28 days and reaches its silky, cup-shaped blooms in 80 to 100 days. Thin or space seedlings to 30 cm apart, with rows about 30 cm wide, and grow them in full sun. Hardy and undemanding, godetia (Clarkia amoena) makes an easy, colourful border filler and cut flower in the temperate gardens of Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

Sowing calendar — temperate zone

Green months are your sowing window: February to June.

Growing notes

Godetia is an annual best grown from an autumn direct sowing in temperate zones, where the cool, moist conditions suit it far better than a hot start. It dislikes root disturbance, so sow where it is to flower rather than raising and transplanting seedlings. It prefers full sun and light, free-draining soil that is not too rich.

The common failure here is lush leaf and few flowers, which comes from over-feeding. Godetia flowers best on lean ground; rich, heavily manured or nitrogen-fed beds push the plant into soft foliage at the expense of blooms. Skip the fertiliser and let it grow a little hungry.

The second issue is rot in wet, poorly drained soil, especially through a damp Melbourne or coastal winter. Waterlogged roots collapse and the plant yellows and dies off. Improve drainage before sowing, sow into a raised or free-draining bed, and avoid overwatering — godetia tolerates dryness far better than sogginess. Thin seedlings promptly to the full 30 cm spacing so plants have airflow and do not smother each other, and pinch out the growing tips of young plants to encourage bushier, more floriferous growth. It makes a good, long-lasting cut flower if you pick as the first buds on a stem open.

Godetia at a glance

Common questions

when should I sow godetia in a temperate climate

Sow direct from February to June, aiming for the cooling autumn soil. Plants establish through the cooler months and flower into spring, reaching bloom in 80 to 100 days.

why does my godetia grow lots of leaves but few flowers

That is usually over-feeding. Godetia flowers best on lean, unimproved soil, so rich or nitrogen-heavy beds push it into foliage instead of blooms. Skip the fertiliser and grow it a little hungry.

can you transplant godetia seedlings

It is best not to. Godetia dislikes root disturbance, so sow it direct where it is to flower and thin the seedlings to 30 cm apart rather than raising and transplanting them.

does godetia make a good cut flower

Yes, it is a good, long-lasting cut flower. Pick stems as the first buds begin to open and the remaining buds will continue to open in the vase.

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