About Tuberose
Tuberose is a plant that produces a beautiful flower with a unique scent. The plants are native to Mexico and can grow up to 3-4 feet tall, but they are also grown in other parts of the world, including France and India. Tuberoses are also known as ‘Rajnigandha’, which means ‘princess of the night’ in Sanskrit.
This is a great choice if you’re looking for an aromatic houseplant that blooms multiple times a year. You may think about the effects of your favorite essential oils or scents that help you relax when you smell this plant’s delicate fragrance—it’s similar to jasmine with a hint of vanilla.
The tuberose bulbs are edible and can be eaten raw, cooked, or fermented into wines. The leaves can be made into tea, and the flowers can be used to make leis or decorations.
Tuberose Plants Benefits
People have been using tuberose for many purposes beyond their fragrant smell. For instance, it’s a popular choice for those who want to repel mosquitoes and other pests because of the strong fragrance it gives off.
In addition to being an effective mosquito repellent, tuberose plants have been used to treat issues with digestion and nausea as well as headaches that can be caused by tension in the neck or shoulders.
It has also been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat menstrual cramps and problems related to PMS symptoms like breast tenderness, bloating, mood swings, depression, anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, and more!
Growing Tuberose
Growing tuberose plants is not difficult, but they are a bit finicky while establishing themselves. Once they take hold though, tuberose flowers can reward you with years of beauty and fragrance.
Where to Grow Tuberose
Tuberose plants are tropical perennials that thrive in warm temperatures with plenty of water during their growing season (May through October). Garden tuberoses can be grown outdoors year-round if you live in USDA zones 8 through 10. These plants cannot withstand freezing temperatures or strong winds so plant them in a sheltered location away from harsh winter weather elements.
Bed Spacing
Tuberose plants grow quite large and require adequate space to develop. Tuberose plants can reach heights of 3 feet and widths of 1 to 3 feet, so leave at least that much distance between plants when planting them in a mixed flower bed or garden. When planting multiple rows of tuberoses, leave 4 to 6 feet between rows so you’ll have plenty of room to water and care for the plants.
Caring Tuberose
Plants are the lungs of our planet, providing us with oxygen and cleaning out the air of toxins. All plants are important, but tuberous plants are particularly vital because they produce so much of our world’s oxygen.
We got some guidelines here so don’t be afraid of adapting one!
Water Requirements
Water the plants frequently in summer and give them a good soaking every week. If water is not sufficient, plants will develop smaller flowers. Only water the plants when the soil becomes dry to touch in winter.
Soil Requirements
Tuberose plants benefit from being planted in a sandy loam—this is a loose, fertile soil that consists of a mixture of sand, clay, and organic matter. This kind of soil drains well but also retains nutrients.
Light Requirements
Garden tuberoses need full sun to produce the best blooms, so when planting them in your garden, find a location that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. They will tolerate partial shade but may not bloom as well or may bloom later than other plants in your garden if they do not get enough sunlight. Placing potted tuberoses outdoors will help them get the six hours of sun they need for good blooming.
Proper Fertilizer
Fertilizer should be added at planting time (i.e., when you first get your tuberose plant). You can also apply fertilizer at the start of the growing season—usually springtime.
Do not fertilize your tuberose during the flowering period—this may reduce the amount and quality of flowers produced.
Apply a balanced fertilizer in granular form. Slow-release forms of fertilizer are best, as they won’t burn the roots of your tuberose plant.
Propagating Tuberose
Tuberose plants are propagated by division, and not by seed. This means that you will need to obtain a tuberose plant to grow more tuberose plants. Obtaining a tuberose plant is easy: there are many places online where you can buy one or ask your friends if they have any spare stalks they’d be willing to share with you.
To propagate your tuberose, follow these steps:
1. Locate the base of the plant’s stalk
2. Gently twist off a small section of the stalk, leaving at least three leaves on each side of the split.
3. Plant the stalk in moist soil, preferably in a pot with drainage holes at the bottom.
4. Place the pot somewhere with sun exposure for at least six hours per day. It should also be sheltered from rain and snow, if possible.
5. Wait about six months for it to grow strong roots and develop new stalks.
That’s it! Tuberoses are notoriously easy to propagate and care for, so if you’re looking for an indoor plant that will grow quickly into a beautiful display piece, start with tuberose!
Pest and Disease Control
Although tuberoses are generally disease-free, they can develop a few problems. These include a condition called leaf spot and, more rarely, grey mold.
Leaf spot appears as dark brown spots on the leaves of the plant. It is caused by a fungus that thrives during warm, humid weather.
To prevent leaf spots from developing on your plants, water them at ground level rather than soaking the foliage. If a leaf spot does occur, remove the affected leaves and dispose of them in the trash. Treating plants with a fungicide may help to prevent further infection.
Grey molds are characterized by small spots on the leaves or stems of tuberous plants that eventually spread to cover larger areas of the plant. The spots will turn brown and may appear to be dry at first, but if left untreated they will become wet and form a powdery substance that resembles ash or dust.
To treat:
First, remove any infected parts of your plant immediately and dispose of them in an outdoor trash can. Then, use a fungicide to treat the area where the mold was found. You can also spray your plants with a solution of water and bleach to lower your chances of infection as well as discourage the spread of any existing mold.