Gypsophile: planting and care

Description and botany

Gypsophila is an herbaceous plant, annual or perennial depending on species, belonging to family Caryophyllaceae. It is found wild at high altitudes, on rocky ground and slopes of southern Europe, particularly the Iberian Peninsula and central Asia.

Genus includes more than a hundred species and varieties, the best known being Gypsophila paniculata, often nicknamed “mist”, an upright form reaching 1 m tall, and Gypsophila repens, with a mat-forming habit. Both have produced hybrids such as gypsophilas ‘Rosenschleier’, ‘Flamingo’ and ‘Rosa Schönheit’.

There is also Gypsophila cerastioides, a gypsophila forming a compact cushion, as well as some annual species such as Gypsophila muralis (wall gypsophila) and Gypsophila elegans, excellent for cut flowers.

Plant develops from a thick, sometimes woody stump made up of deep but fragile roots. Habit varies by species, taking forms from erect bush to dense groundcover, sometimes even turf-like.

Gypsophila forms a bushy, rounded, very ramified clump, reaching at least 1 m across, or else a spreading cushion, only 10–20 cm high and up to 40 cm wide at maturity.

Gypsophila paniculata – botanical illustration

With normal to slow growth, it can live for many years in very well-drained soil; conversely, in heavy ground it will be short-lived and behave as an annual.

Foliage is fine and discreet, evergreen to semi-evergreen. Small linear to lanceolate leaves, sometimes fleshy, glabrous or villous, 5 mm to 10 cm long, are arranged in opposite pairs on very fine, highly ramified creeping or ascending stems. Leaves are mid-green to slightly bluish, glaucous.

Gypsophila is remarkable for poetic abundance of its flowering, whether creeping or tall. Also called “baby’s breath” in English, shrub transforms, from May to September, into a vapoury cloud of numerous small solitary flowers or grouped in large, airy panicles at tips of multiple stems.

Resembling swarms, these tiny star-shaped or trumpet-shaped flowers, 0.5–2 cm across, form an ethereal floral mist that is both decorative and extremely light. Groundcover species are almost entirely hidden beneath an avalanche of small rounded blooms.

Flowers, single or double, sometimes forming mossy pompons, consist of 4 to 5 petals and appear in pastel shades from classic pure white to pale or deep pink, sometimes blended candy-pink and white.

Delicate, they evoke tiny soft, velvety roses and follow one another all summer long.

When cut, these light flowering stems are much prized by florists for fresh or dried bouquets, adding a delicate volume.

Hardy to below -15°C, drought-resistant and undemanding despite its fragile appearance, Gypsophila is truly a plant easy to grow. From its Mediterranean origins it has kept a taste for warmth and requires full sun.

Gypsophila does not like humidity. In Greek its name means that it loves arid, calcareous soils: it grows in light, deep, porous, dry to fresh soil, even stony, and above all very well drained.

Gypsophila makes a strong impression in wild gardens, dry gardens, rockeries and flowering walls, on sunny banks where it brings a vapoury relief. It also adapts very well to window boxes and flowering containers.

Gypsophila paniculata ‘Bristol Fairy’, Gypsophila repens ‘Rosa Schonheit’, Gypsophila cerastioides

Main species and varieties

Most popular

Our favourites

Gypsophila Rosenschleier

Arguably best of gypsophiles! Forms airy cloud-like displays. This variety tolerates winter dampness better than others. Perfect in rockeries or borders.

• Flowering time July to September
• Height at maturity 50 cm

See the full description

Gypsophila repens Rosa Schönheit

Spreading, prostrate and very vigorous variety that is covered in summer with a cloud of deep-pink flowers, large for genus. Ideal for rockeries, wall crevices, dry banks or pots.

• Flowering time July to September
• Height at maturity 20 cm

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Gypsophila paniculata Flamingo

Hybrid variety from G.paniculata notable for its double pale-pink flowers. It develops a nicely bushy shape at ripeness. Perfect to lighten up beds.

• Flowering time July to September
• Height at maturity 1 m

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Gypsophila paniculata Bristol Fairy

Nicknamed 'mist', this gypsophile forms a cloud of white flowers exceeding 1 m in height at ripeness. It flowers throughout summer in beds.

• Flowering time August to October
• Height at maturity 1,50 m

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Gypsophila repens Alba

Vigorous, spreading variety forming a spreading cushion that will expand year after year. Plant on sunny banks or in planters.

• Flowering time July to September
• Height at maturity 20 cm

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Gypsophila cerastioides

An astonishing gypsophile that develops into a compact cushion. It thrives in rockeries, at the front of a bed or as a path edging.

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 10 cm

See the full description

Gypsophila elegans Covent Garden Seeds

Annual Gypsophila variety of great delicacy. Widely used in fresh or dried bouquets.

• Flowering time July to November
• Height at maturity 45 cm

See the full description

Planting

Where to plant Gypsophila

Very hardy, Gypsophila grows almost everywhere in France. It tolerates frost and copes well with temperatures below at least -15 °C in well-drained soil.

It is a perennial that requires sun and warm exposure and prefers porous, rather dry soil. This drought-adapted plant prefers light, poor, even calcareous soils, and above all very well drained ones in which it will be long-lived. It will also tolerate ordinary soil provided drainage is perfect.

Gypsophila hates heavy, waterlogged soils in winter and poorly drained conditions: in waterlogged, compact, clay soil it will behave like an annual and die during the winter following planting.

Give it an open situation, because Gypsophila likes space and tends to be spreading. It hates root competition: therefore leave it plenty of air and especially avoid moving it, its very fragile roots do not like to be disturbed.

Placed in the middle or at the edge of slightly heavy perennial borders which they lighten, tall Gypsophila paniculata, which can reach 1 m in height, will bring a vaporous relief in naturalistic, soft-focus gardens. Groundcover species such as Repens can cover large areas and are perfect in rockeries, in wall crevices, on scree and in pots or containers.

All are essential to dress the base of bushes and especially roses in a charming, romantic way.

When to plant Gypsophila

Planting Gypsophila is preferably done in spring, between March and April, after frosts. Planting in autumn is also possible, from September to November in mild climates.

How to plant Gypsophila

In open ground

Gypsophila dislikes heavy soils: add river sand or gravel to lighten soil. It does not like crowding and root competition: favour a well-aerated planting. It is a very airy plant that remains transparent: plant in large clumps for a handsome effect in a border or herbaceous bed, allowing 5 plants per m², spaced at least 40 cm for groundcover species and 1 m for the tallest species.

• Dig a hole 2 to 3 times the width of the rootball
• Fork over soil well and remove roots and weeds. Add large stones or gravel to a depth of 20 cm at the bottom of the hole
• Incorporate river sand or pouzzolana half and half with the excavated soil
• Plant without breaking the rootball and fill the hole
• Firm soil lightly with your foot
• Water regularly the first summer to encourage rooting

In a pot

While groundcover species such as Gypsophila repens are well suited to container culture, larger varieties will also thrive in fairly tall pots.

Substrate must be very free-draining to avoid stagnant moisture and root rot. Too clayey a soil will harm the hardiness of this undemanding plant: improve drainage with gravel or a mix of stones.

• In a pot of at least 50 cm diameter, lay a good draining layer
• Plant in a mix composed of 50% potting compost and 50% coarse river sand or pouzzolana
• Place it in full sun
• Water at planting then regularly without excess, allowing soil to dry between waterings

When and how to sow gypsophila seeds

Sowing applies to varieties grown as annuals of Gypsophila and is an option if you want to flower large areas to create a flowering meadow. Sow your Gypsophila seeds in early spring between April and May or in seed trays under cover in autumn to obtain earlier flowering.

In open ground

• Sow by broadcasting over well-prepared, light, free-draining soil
• Cover seeds to a depth of 3 mm
• Thin out to about 30 cm, increase spacing for larger Gypsophila

In seed trays

• Sow by broadcasting in a tray or in buckets filled with potting compost mixed with sand
• Cover seeds with same mix
• Firm down lightly
• Keep moist under a cold frame until germination, which occurs in 21 days
• Thin out some seedlings at emergence
• Pot seedlings on shortly after emergence into small buckets
• Plant out in garden when soil begins to warm, in May, into light, free-draining soil

Care and maintenance

Gypsophila is low-maintenance and requires little water. Perfect in a dry garden and country gardens.

Water regularly during the first summer to encourage establishment. Once established, in well-draining soil, it will become increasingly drought-resistant and will only need watering during prolonged droughts. In pots: always let soil dry out completely between waterings.

Undemanding, it tolerates poor soils and does not require fertiliser.

Weed regularly around its base and give it a gravel mulch to spare you this chore.

Stake tall Gypsophila with brittle stems or plant them at the foot of roses they can lean on. Tie tall stems if necessary.

Remove faded flowerheads as they appear.

Creeping varieties of Gypsophila are not pruned: simply remove damaged stems if necessary.

Cut back dry stems of larger species after flowering.

Bouquet of Freesia and Gypsophila paniculata ‘Bristol Fairy’

Diseases and potential pests

When planted in well-draining soil, Gypsophila shows good resistance to disease. It is really only troubled by two things: excess water and gastropods at the start of growth.

Excess water in soil encourages the onset of fungal diseases causing rotting of stems or collar: well-draining soil will prevent fungal development.

If young plants are devoured by slugs and snails, follow all our advice on controlling these gastropods!

Multiplication: propagation by cuttings

Once well rooted, Gypsophila does not like to be disturbed, we do not recommend dividing it as risk of damaging roots is considerable. Moreover, Gypsophila is very easy to sow. Root cuttings are possible.

How to take a Gypsophila cutting

• In spring, take offshoots from the edge of the clump
• Cut these pieces of fleshy root at the base
• Insert them into a bed of gravel in a mix of turf and river sand
• Water occasionally
• Repot into a larger pot and plant out in open ground the following spring
• Pot on when cutting has developed sufficient roots

→ Discover Angélique’s tutorial on propagating Gypsophila

Pairing Gypsophila in the garden

White or pink vaporous clouds of Gypsophila are perfect for playing with shades and gradients, softening intense colours. With its slender silhouette, delicate, light foliage and pastel inflorescences, it transforms a simple perennial bed, a soft rockery or an unremarkable mixed border into a poetic tableau.

It is an ideal plant to fill gaps and ensure continuity of flowering.

It is the ideal companion for heritage or modern roses or tree peonies, whose bases it dresses, composing romantic summer scenes. It lends charm to cottage gardens and country gardens, to which it brings volume, delicacy and lightness. It is a staple of white gardens and pink gardens.

An example of a combination: Rose ‘Munstead Wood’, Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’, Achillea ‘Love Parade’, Rose ‘Astronomia’, Gypsophila paniculata ‘Bristol Fairy’, Geranium ‘Johnson’s Blue’

It enhances deep pink, carmine or crimson flowers of garden poppies, carnations or sages and the glaucous foliage of Achilleas millefolium, Euphorbias or even lavenders.

Its extraordinary lightness makes it suited to beds of heavier or large-flowered perennials, such as Oriental poppies, garden irises, echinaceas, phlox, Verbascums, Hesperis matronalis or thistles.

In graceful, delicate compositions, pair it with Cosmos, gaura, delicate asters or airy Thalictrums, whose flowering it accompanies.

In containers, it will keep company with sedums, pelargoniums and petunias.

→ Discover more pairing ideas with Gypsophila in our advice sheet