Marianne's Response
Single mexican tuberose
How do I care for my Single Mexican Tuberose?
Posted by Carmen Montalvo on August 11, 2018
Marianne's Response
Your tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa) needs a long, warm summer to create blooms so if you live in a climate with a cool spring you should store the bulbs indoors every winter then restart inside in a container in late spring before setting the plants back outdoors once the weather warms. Set the rhizomes (bulb-like roots) two inches deep in a pot of good potting soil and use an acid loving plant food such as Osmocote Azalea, Camellia and rhododendron slow release plant food. Don't fertilize until you see new growth sprouting from the bulb in the spring. After the plant flowers in late summer, the leaves will turn yellow in the fall. This is your signal to stop watering and let the plant go dormant for the winter. Cut off the top growth when it turns brown and store the plant in a cool dry spot (not freezing, just cool) until spring. This fragrant plant likes full sun and regular water while it is growing and in bloom. Good drainage is a must so as not to rot the roots. Getting this plant to rebloom may be a bit of a challenge if you don't live in a warm climate (the plant is a native of Mexico) but the sweet fragrance and long lasting blooms are worth the effort. Good luck and Keep growing, Marianne Binetti
