Arizona Desert Heat? Brown Thumbs? … No problem!!

Coming from the plantain family, with relatives such as olives and commonly found in tropical/sub-tropical areas, it goes without saying that these pretty Angelonias just love full sun. Angelonias are abundant in their native West Indies and Mexico; they are frequently referred to Angel flowers or Angel plant possessing a rich assortment of colors, i.e. white, red, pink, purple, blue and purple (my favorite).

Fragrant and colorful with tall, tubular stems; the Angelonia is easily mistaken for the annual spring/fall snapdragons of the Midwest. While similar in appearance, luckily for us desert dwellers, they bloom in the summer heat and have an almost fruity aroma. *Bonus*, they can be perennials here in the valley, so no yearly knee-bending/dirt-digging each summer!!

Angelonia can be planted by seeds or already rooted, and will get up to a foot and a half tall and they spread anywhere from 4 inches to 12 inches. Flowers are tiny but numerous per stem. They do get a teeny tiny fruit, brown in color, not edible in the US but in some country’s they are considered an herb. Super easy to care for, resistant to almost all pest and diseases, full sun lovers, and will grow in sand, loam, chalky an acidic soil. So very perfect for the Phoenix Valley!! Watering of the Angelonia is considered average for a desert plant; meaning generally just a deep watering when the first top 1-inch of soil is dry. No pruning necessary. (yay)                                                                          These plants serve well as a border plant and are perfectly suitable for flowerbeds. Nice companion plants are vincas for the summer. If raised in a pot, they should be repotted every 2 years.  

Word of caution… plant Angelonias AWAY from sitting areas and pools as the BEES just LOVE them!