Getting it to bloom
Why won't my Purple Jerusalem Sage bloom? (and how to make it flower)
Also called Purple Jerusalem sage, Purple phlomis (Phlomis purpurea).
More about purple jerusalem sage
About Purple Jerusalem Sage
Phlomis purpurea · also called Purple Jerusalem sage, Purple phlomis · flowering
Phlomis purpurea is a handsome, upright evergreen shrub native to the dry hillsides and scrubland of southern Spain and Portugal, where it is one of the most widespread phlomis species in western Iberia. Its grey-white woolly leaves contrast beautifully with whorls of rosy-purple to lilac-pink flowers produced from late spring to early summer. Once established it is remarkably drought-tolerant, but adequate sun and free drainage are essential for long-term health. It is not listed on the ASPCA database and is classified as mildly-toxic due to insufficient confirmed pet-safety data.
Plant type: flowering
Watch for — Aphid infestations on new growth: Soft spring growth can attract aphid colonies; knock off with a strong jet of water or apply an insecticidal soap spray, avoiding flowering periods to protect pollinators.
The reasons purple jerusalem sage isn't blooming
Almost every non-blooming purple jerusalem sage traces back to one of these, roughly in order of how common they are:
- Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.
- Too much nitrogen feed, driving lush foliage at the expense of flowers (very common with general or lawn feeds).
- The plant has not been deadheaded, so it stops flowering once it sets seed.
- Irregular watering — drought or waterlogging at the budding stage makes buds abort.
- It is still too young or was checked by a transplant and is rebuilding before flowering.
Feeding purple jerusalem sage a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.
The fix — how to get purple jerusalem sage to flower
- Maximise sun. Give purple jerusalem sage the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers.
- Switch the feed. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.
- Deadhead regularly. Remove spent flowers often to keep it producing more rather than stopping to set seed.
- Water consistently. Keep moisture even through budding and flowering — drought-then-flood swings make buds drop.
Light and feeding do most of the heavy lifting here. Dial in the spot with the light guide for purple jerusalem sage and get the feeding right with the purple jerusalem sage fertilising schedule — the wrong feed (too much nitrogen) is one of the most common silent reasons a healthy plant makes leaves instead of flowers.
Bloom season and what to expect
Purple Jerusalem Sage flowers across its growing season (mostly summer) and, kept fed and deadheaded, can bloom for many weeks or right up to frost.
Post-bloom care so it flowers again
Deadhead, keep feeding lightly, and many will rebloom; collect seed from the best plants at the end of the season if you want to grow them again.
For everything else this plant needs day to day, see the full purple jerusalem sage care brief and its watering schedule — a stressed, badly watered plant rarely has the energy to flower at all.
Purple Jerusalem Sage blooming — frequently asked questions
Why won't my purple jerusalem sage flower?
Purple Jerusalem Sage blooms on the season's growth given enough sun, warmth and the right feed — there is no cold or photoperiod trick, just good growing conditions and a bloom-leaning feed. The most common reason it is not happening: Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.
How do I make purple jerusalem sage bloom?
Give purple jerusalem sage the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.
When does purple jerusalem sage normally bloom?
Purple Jerusalem Sage flowers across its growing season (mostly summer) and, kept fed and deadheaded, can bloom for many weeks or right up to frost.
What should I do with purple jerusalem sage after it flowers?
Deadhead, keep feeding lightly, and many will rebloom; collect seed from the best plants at the end of the season if you want to grow them again.
What is the single biggest mistake stopping purple jerusalem sage flowering?
Feeding purple jerusalem sage a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.
Keep reading
- Purple Jerusalem Sage care — the full brief (light, water, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- Purple Jerusalem Sage light needs — usually the first thing to fix for flowers
- Purple Jerusalem Sage fertilising — the right feed for buds, not just leaves
- Should I water my plant? The simple check
- Why is my plant wilting? Wet vs dry
- Underwatered plant — signs and rehydration
- Why won't my peace lily bloom?
- Why won't my jade plant bloom?
- Why won't my tomato bloom?
- All 4114 bloom guides in the Growli library