Purple Honeywort Seeds – Pride of Gibraltar | WINTER

Purple Honeywort (Cerinthe major ‘Purpurascens’) is an ornamental annual admired for its unusual purple flowers and blue-green foliage.

Sow seeds approximately 0.5–1 cm deep in well-draining soil. Provide full sunlight, moderate watering and adequate growing space.

Key Features

• Botanical Name: Cerinthe major ‘Purpurascens’

• Common Name: Purple Honeywort

• Variety: Pride of Gibraltar

• Plant Type: Ornamental Flowering Annual

• Flower Colour: Deep Purple to Violet

• Bract Colour: Blue-Purple

• Foliage Colour: Silver-Green to Blue-Green

• Flower Shape: Nodding, Bell-Shaped

• Plant Height: Approximately 60–90 cm

• Growth Habit: Upright, Bushy and Branching

• Sunlight: Full Sun to Light Partial Shade

• Growing Season: Winter and Spring in Lahore

• Flowering: Approximately 65–90 days after sowing, depending on conditions

• Special Features: Decorative foliage, unusual flowers, pollinator-friendly and suitable for cut-flower arrangements

Recommended Grow Bags

G-8 Grow Bag – 8 × 8 inch – 1 young plant; suitable for initial growth but may be restrictive at maturity.

G-11 Grow Bag – 11 × 10 inch – 1 plant, suitable for compact container cultivation.

G-12 Grow Bag – 12 × 12 inch – 1 plant, recommended for healthy flowering and root development.

G-20 F Grow Bag – 20 × 16 inch – 2–3 plants with adequate spacing for a fuller ornamental display.

Important: Maintain approximately 30–45 cm spacing between mature plants to ensure good airflow and healthy branching.

Recommended Soil / Potting Mix

50% Bhalu Mitti / Garden Soil + 30% GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost + 20% Cocopeat.

Use loose, moderately fertile and well-draining soil.

Avoid excessive fertilization, which may encourage foliage development at the expense of flowers.

Growing Instructions from Seeds

• Method: Direct sowing or nursery seedling trays

• Sowing Depth: Approximately 0.5–1 cm

• Germination: 7–21 days

• Ideal Germination Temperature: 15–20°C

• Plant Spacing: Approximately 30–45 cm

• Seeds per Spot: Sow 1–2 seeds and retain the healthiest seedling

• Transplanting: Transplant young seedlings carefully to minimize root disturbance

• Watering: Keep the growing medium lightly and evenly moist during germination

For improved germination, seeds may be soaked in room-temperature water overnight before sowing.

Sunlight & Watering

Sunlight: Full sun, preferably 5–6 hours or more daily. Light afternoon shade may be beneficial as temperatures rise.

Watering: Water regularly during establishment and allow the upper soil layer to begin drying between waterings.

Established plants tolerate short dry periods but perform best without prolonged moisture stress.

Avoid waterlogging.

Growth & Flowering

• First Flowering: Approximately 65–90 days after sowing

• Flower Colour: Deep Purple to Violet

• Bract Colour: Blue-Purple

• Foliage Colour: Silver-Green

• Plant Height: Approximately 60–90 cm

• Growth Habit: Upright and Bushy

• Flower Shape: Small, Drooping Bell-Shaped Blooms

• Pollinators: Bees and other beneficial insects

• Flowering Period: Mainly late winter to spring under suitable local conditions

The distinctive blue-purple bracts surrounding the flowers create an attractive ornamental display.

Remove faded flowering stems when appropriate to maintain a tidy appearance and encourage additional growth.

Feeding

Mix a moderate quantity of GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost into the soil before sowing.

Provide balanced nutrition only when required.

Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization and overly rich growing media.

Related Products

• GREEN GARDENS Grow Bags

• GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost

• GREEN GARDENS Flower Seeds

• Gardening with Javed Iqbal