Growing Heliopsis in pots

Which Heliopsis to plant in a pot?

Heliopsis can be grown in a pot as long as a large container suitable for its size is chosen. However, compact Heliopsis varieties are preferable for pot cultivation.

You might consider:

• Heliopsis ‘Tuscan Sun’. With a compact habit, it reaches a height of 55 cm and bears 5 cm yellow flowers with an orange centre from June to September.
• Heliopsis ‘Summer Pink’. Growing up to 90 cm tall, it features stunning variegated foliage in pink, green, and cream. From June to September, it produces 2 cm golden-yellow flowers with a brownish centre on tall purple stems.
• Heliopsis ‘Vénus’. At a height of 90 cm, it produces large 10 cm bright yellow daisy-like flowers with a darker centre from July to September.
• Heliopsis ‘Burning Hearts’. Reaching a height of 1.20 metres at ripeness, this tall Heliopsis bears 6 cm bicoloured yellow and orange flowers on purple-tinged green foliage from June to September.

Heliopsis ‘Tuscan Sun’, ‘Summer Pink’, ‘Vénus’ and ‘Burning Hearts’

Where and when to plant a Heliopsis in a pot?

Heliopsis prefers sunny situations and sheltered from winds, but it can also tolerate partial shade. You can plant it in autumn or early spring, avoiding periods of heatwaves or severe frosts.

How to grow Heliopsis in a pot?

What type of pot?

You can use all types of pots, from plastic to clay and wood pots. However, clay pots allow for better evaporation of water.

What substrate?

Heliopsis prefers a fertile, well-drained, and cool substrate.

Planting

• Remove the Heliopsis from the pot and soak it in water to hydrate it well.
• Choose a pot with a size between 30 and 50 cm in all dimensions.
• Place a draining layer at the bottom of the perforated pot, consisting of gravel or clay balls, to a height of about 10 cm.
• Add a substrate made up of half garden soil and half potting soil mixed with a handful of compost.
• Position the Heliopsis and cover with substrate, pressing down well.
• Water generously and mulch around the base.

Ideally, grow your Heliopsis in clay pots, which are more environmentally friendly than plastic.

How to care for a potted Heliopsis?

Watering

• Monitor the condition of the substrate and water the plant to keep the soil moist, especially at the beginning of planting and during flowering.
• In case of severe drought, water generously but infrequently.
• Renew the mulch at the base if necessary.

Fertiliser

• Every year in spring, add one or two handfuls of compost to the soil.
• During the flowering period, apply fertiliser once a month.

Pruning

• In May, pinch the tips of the young shoots or cut back the plant by a third to encourage flowering and strengthen the plant’s vigour.
• During flowering, regularly remove faded flowers to encourage another wave of flowering.
• Once flowering is finished, cut the stems back to the ground.

Staking

Some taller species may require staking.

Repotting and Dividing the Stumps

• To maintain the vigour of Heliopsis, divide the stumps every 3 to 4 years using a knife or pruning shear disinfected with alcohol.
• Take the piece of stump and plant it in a new pot.
• Water generously.

Diseases and Pests

Vigorous, Heliopsis is not very susceptible to diseases and pests.
However, powdery mildew may appear as a whitish deposit on the leaves and buds. Discover in this article our advice on how to get rid of it.

Heliopsis may also occasionally be attacked by slugs. Here are our tips to resolve this issue.

With some proper care, your Heliopsis in pots or containers will delight you with their long-lasting flowering.

For further reading

Discover our complete sheet on Heliopsis, as well as our complete collection of Heliopsis!

And to avoid any failures, we advise you to plant appropriately. Feel free to adopt our Plantfit web application!