Bridal veil plants have delicate white flowers, and lush green foliage. This article tells you how to take proper care to keep it hale and hearty for a very long time.
Bridal veil plants are herbaceous and perennial vine houseplants, which grow in abundance in any tropical and humid region. They grow to a height of approximately 18 feet, and respond well to warm temperatures of minimum 55º F and fertile, well-drained soil. Their three-petaled, fragrant, white flowers, that blossom in clusters from spring to autumn, are a delight to watch. The plants have thick, awl-shaped, leathery foliage growing on slender cascading stems. Also known as Stephanotis floribunda, they also have popular names like Madagascar Jasmine and Stephanotis. Bridal veil plant care is important for the healthy growth of this flowering houseplant.
Caring for the Bridal Veil Plant
Every plant responds positively to good care and attention. So, here are a few tips on caring for this indoor tropical plant:
- Bridal veil loves to grow on bright spots with moderate heat. The temperature should be between 50º-70º F. So, plant it away from direct sunlight. It can be conveniently planted in indoor or outdoor garden trellis.
- This plant requires a warm temperature and well-drained soil. So, make sure the pot, used for planting it, has high quality humus soil and sufficient drainage holes. If it is planted outdoors, they need to be watered with at least 2 buckets of water every 2-3 weeks. The soil should not be over-soaked, as it could kill the roots of the plant. Also, there should be a sufficient time interval, wherein the soil is allowed to dry before the next watering cycle.
- In humid seasons, make it a point to spray the bridal veils, to mist them mildly. In winters, protect them from cold by keeping the pots near the window, where they will have easy access to warmer temperatures. In summers, they can be kept indoors, so they remain protected from direct sunlight and heat.
- The flowering season of bridal veils is from spring to autumn (March to September). Hence, keep the soil a little dry during winters. It is also the resting period for this plant, as it prepares itself for the next flowering season.
- Pruning bridal veils is an important activity. It helps the plant grow as a compact and healthy flowering plant. Remove all the dead wood and dry leaves accumulated near it regularly. This ensures that the plant is not affected by the menace of aphids and mealybugs.
- Any gardening activity is incomplete without fertilization. It is a must to fertilize bridal veil plants regularly with all-purpose, water soluble fertilizers from February to September, on a weekly basis.
A very important point to be noted is that these plants must be preferably grown in open spaces or garden trellis, providing them room to grow and twine as they want. After all, they belong to the vine family.
Tahitian Bridal Veil
Tahitian bridal veils are beautiful, tropical plants, that find a laudable place in homes or in hanging baskets in your garden trellis. They are the natives of Jamaica, but can be grown in any tropical, humid climatic regions. They are best known for their refined leafage, which has purple undersides and olive tops. Waxy, fragrant, white flowers grow over the foliage. These plants are also known as gibasis geniculata. Like normal bridal veils, they too need filtered light, without direct exposure to sun.
They can be initially grown in 2.5 inch pots, and can be later transferred to larger baskets, once they start growing big. Stem cutting can be done in spring, which is the best time for propagation of any type of plant cuttings. If you are interested in preparing the soil for Tahitian bridal veils, all you need is 1 portion garden soil, I portion perlite, 1 portion humus, and a pinch of lime. Put this mixture in a pot having sufficient drainage holes. You may also add some pebbles and stones to retain the moisture of the soil.
Bridal veil plants make beautiful, indoor and hanging houseplants. Their white flowers are also popularly seen as a part of bridal bouquets and wedding flowers. So, no wonder how they derived their name.
