Getting it to bloom

Why won't my Sticky Jerusalem Sage bloom? (and how to make it flower)

Also called Sticky Jerusalem sage, Viscous phlomis (Phlomis viscosa).

More about sticky jerusalem sage

About Sticky Jerusalem Sage

Phlomis viscosa · also called Sticky Jerusalem sage, Viscous phlomis · flowering

Phlomis viscosa is a robust, glandular-sticky perennial or short-lived sub-shrub native to the eastern Mediterranean, from Israel and Lebanon through Turkey and Cyprus, growing on rocky, dry slopes and garrigue. It produces bold whorls of golden-yellow hooded flowers above large, sticky, rugose leaves that trap dust and insects. The key care rule is excellent drainage — soggy winter soil quickly kills the rootstock. Pet-toxicity status is not confirmed by the ASPCA; treat as mildly toxic out of caution.

Plant type: flowering

The reasons sticky jerusalem sage isn't blooming

Almost every non-blooming sticky 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 sticky 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 sticky jerusalem sage to flower

Maximise sun. Give sticky 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 sticky jerusalem sage and get the feeding right with the sticky 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

Sticky 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 sticky jerusalem sage care brief and its watering schedule — a stressed, badly watered plant rarely has the energy to flower at all.

Sticky Jerusalem Sage blooming — frequently asked questions

Why won't my sticky jerusalem sage flower?

Sticky 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 sticky jerusalem sage bloom?

Give sticky 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 sticky jerusalem sage normally bloom?