Baby’s breath is a common cut flower, popularly paired with roses and as a common filler in other bouquets. It’s also commonly used as a bouquet or arrangement of its own.
Learn more about what baby’s breath is and how to grow it in your garden.
What is baby’s breath?
Like many flowers, there is more than one type of baby’s breath. Baby’s breath, also called gypsophila, is an annual or a perennial, depending on the variety.
Gypsophila elegans is an annual that grows up to 2 feet tall. It’s flowers are white. Other varieties of baby’s breath are white, or sometimes pink or red.
How to grow baby’s breath
Growing gypsophila elegans is pretty simple. It can be grown from seed in the spring after the threat of frost, or planted as transplants if started indoors 6-8 weeks before the final frost. However, it’s recommended to directly sow baby’s breath.
Gypsophila elegans requires:
- Full sun
- Slightly alkaline soil
- Well-draining soil
- Average soil moisture
- Planting in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-10
Baby’s breath can be grown in containers or it can be planted directly in the ground. It can do well in dry, hot conditions. It will germinate within a week or two, and takes around 6-7 weeks to reach maturity.
Baby’s breath grows as small clusters of flowers. It’s a cut-and-grow-again flower. Or, the seeds can be planted in succession for harvest throughout the summer season.
Sources: University of Missouri Extension, University of Illinois Extension, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Wildflower Information
