Fan flower (Scaevola aemula)

Fan flower

Features and Characteristics

Scaevola aemula, commonly called fan flower or fairy fan flower, is native to Australia. It is a sprawling evergreen perennial with ascending and/or procumbent stems. It typically grows to 9-18” tall and spreads to 24” wide. It thrives in hot, humid climates where it produces a non-stop bloom of dark blue fan-shaped flowers in the leaf axils on trailing stems throughout summer to first frost. Lanceolate to obovate, toothed green leaves (to 2” long).

Genus name comes from the Greek scaeva meaning left-handed for the hand-like aspect of the flower.

Specific epithet means rivaling or imitating.

Care and Maintenance

Winter hardy to USDA Zones 10-1 In St. Louis, it is usually grown as an annual in hanging baskets, containers or as a bedding plant. It is easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Prefers light filtered or dappled sun. Water regularly throughout growing season. Thrives in hot and dry summer climates. Container plants may be overwintered indoors or cuttings may be taken in late summer for overwintering indoors. Bedding plants may be potted up in fall and overwintered. However, these plants are often simply replaced annually in spring rather than trying to overwinter them. May be grown from seed started indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost date.

Fan flower (Scaevola aemula) Requirements

Hardiness zone	10 - 11
Sun light	Full sun to part shade
Water	Medium
Maintenance	Low

Common Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Uses

Tender perennial usually grown as an annual for hanging baskets, containers, window boxes, bedding or sprawling over a wall.

Fan flower (Scaevola aemula) Details

Common name	Fan flower
Botanical name	Scaevola aemula
Plant type	Herbaceous perennial
Family	Goodeniaceae
Hardiness zone	10 - 11
Water	Medium
Maintenance	Low
Flower color	Dark blue
Flowering period	Flowers freely
Height	0.75 to 1.50 feet
Width	1 - 2 ft.