Scaevola aemula, commonly known as the Fan Flower, is a popular ornamental plant originating from Australia. It is favored for its vibrant, distinctive fan-shaped blooms, typically appearing in shades of blue, purple, or white. Its naturally trailing and cascading habit makes it a common choice for hanging baskets, window boxes, and as a durable ground cover in sunny garden beds. The plant produces a continuous flush of flowers from spring until the first hard frost.
Climate-Based Classification
The classification of Scaevola aemula as a perennial depends entirely on the local climate. Botanically, the Fan Flower is a herbaceous perennial, meaning it is genetically capable of living for more than two years. This perennial nature is fully expressed in its native habitat and other regions that mimic those warm conditions.
Gardeners in USDA Hardiness Zones 10 and 11 can grow Scaevola as a true perennial, where it lives for multiple seasons and may even bloom year-round. These tropical and subtropical zones do not experience the freezing temperatures lethal to the plant’s root structure. In these areas, the plant acts as a permanent groundcover or low-growing shrub.
For gardeners in colder climates (Zones 9 and below), Scaevola cannot survive the winter cold. Because it is highly sensitive to frost and freezing conditions, it is cultivated as an annual, completing its life cycle within a single growing season. The plant is typically purchased in the spring and discarded after temperatures drop below freezing in the fall.
Cultivation Requirements
To ensure the Fan Flower thrives during its active growing season, it requires specific environmental conditions. The plant performs best in full sun, receiving at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. While it can tolerate partial shade, insufficient light will significantly reduce the density and frequency of its blooms.
The soil must be well-draining, as the plant is highly susceptible to root rot if left in soggy conditions. Sandy or loamy soils with average fertility are ideal. Once established in the ground, Scaevola demonstrates good drought tolerance, reflecting its Australian origins.
Plants grown in containers or hanging baskets require more frequent watering because the soil dries out faster. A balanced, water-soluble fertilizer applied every four to six weeks during the growing season encourages continuous, abundant flowering. Many modern cultivars are considered self-cleaning, meaning they do not require the removal of spent flowers, making maintenance minimal.
Extending the Growing Season
For gardeners in Zones 9 and colder who wish to preserve their plants beyond the first frost, two primary strategies can be employed. The first is to overwinter the entire plant indoors before freezing temperatures begin. Before bringing the plant inside, it should be pruned back by about half to manage its size and thoroughly inspected for pests, such as aphids or whiteflies.
The potted plant needs to be placed in a bright location, ideally a south-facing window or under artificial grow lights. During the winter, the plant naturally enters a period of reduced growth, so watering should be significantly reduced, and fertilization must stop. This encourages a semi-dormant state, helping the plant conserve energy until spring.
A more popular alternative involves taking vegetative stem cuttings from the parent plant in late summer or early fall. Select healthy, non-flowering stem tips that are three to six inches long. After removing the lower leaves, the cuttings can be rooted in moist, well-draining potting mix or a rooting medium, with the optional use of rooting hormone. Once rooted, these smaller plants can be treated like houseplants over the winter and transplanted outdoors the following spring after the danger of frost has passed.