Perennial · Onagraceae family

Gaura

Oenothera lindheimeri

Full sun to part shade 0.9–1.5 m × 0.3–1 m Flowers June–October to −29 °C
Flower colours Click a colour

In short a 10-second read

SunFull sun to part shade
Size0.9–1.5 m
spacing 45 cm
FlowersJune–October
Care levelLow maintenance

Where to plant and how much to water

Sun, soil and water.

It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average to moist soil.

Sun

Sun6 hours or more
Part shade3–6 hours
Shadeunder 3 h

Soil

tolerates any pH
acidicneutralalkaline
average to moistsandyloamy

Watering

drought tolerant once establisheddo not waterlogless when it rains

Frost

−29 °C

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).

50 cm1 m1.5 m0.9–1.5 mspread 0.3–1 m
0.9–1.5 m× spread 0.3–1 m

Plant 45 cm apart.

The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.

Calendar

Through the year.

Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

Flowers: JanuaryFlowers: FebruaryFlowers: MarchFlowers: AprilFlowers: MayFlowers: JuneFlowers: JulyFlowers: AugustFlowers: SeptemberFlowers: OctoberFlowers: NovemberFlowers: DecemberSowing: JanuarySowing: FebruarySowing: MarchSowing: AprilSowing: MaySowing: JuneSowing: JulySowing: AugustSowing: SeptemberSowing: OctoberSowing: NovemberSowing: DecemberFeeding: JanuaryFeeding: FebruaryFeeding: MarchFeeding: AprilFeeding: MayFeeding: JuneFeeding: JulyFeeding: AugustFeeding: SeptemberFeeding: OctoberFeeding: NovemberFeeding: DecemberJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
FlowersSowingFeeding
Now, in October: nothing to do — the next job is in March.
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Flowers

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June–October · white or pink

Sowing

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

sow indoors: March–June

Feeding

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

March–May

Feeding

Nutrition.

Light
balanced fertilisercompost or mulch
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Pests and diseases

Common problems and what to do.

The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.

What you will see

Softening of the crown and roots; the plant wilts and browns despite watering.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Free-draining soil, no waterlogging (especially in winter).
    • Do not plant too deep.
  2. By hand at the first symptomsDig up the affected plant; improve the soil with drainage; do not replant in the same place.
Root and crown rotdisease

What you will see

Softening of the crown and roots; the plant wilts and browns despite watering.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Free-draining soil, no waterlogging (especially in winter).
    • Do not plant too deep.
  2. By hand at the first symptomsDig up the affected plant; improve the soil with drainage; do not replant in the same place.
More about this problem

What you will see

Small orange-brown pustules on the underside of leaves.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Allow space and air flow; do not plant too densely.
    • Do not water the leaves; avoid prolonged wetness.
  2. By hand once noticedCut off and destroy affected leaves.
Rustsdisease

What you will see

Small orange-brown pustules on the underside of leaves.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Allow space and air flow; do not plant too densely.
    • Do not water the leaves; avoid prolonged wetness.
  2. By hand once noticedCut off and destroy affected leaves.
More about this problem

What you will see

White powdery coating on leaves and stems; leaves curl and dry out.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Sunny, airy position; not in a still spot against a wall.
    • Do not overdo nitrogen (lush young leaves are more susceptible).
    • Water at the roots, not on the leaves.
  2. By hand as soon as the first symptoms appearQuickly cut out affected shoots and burn them or take them away (not to the compost).
  3. Gentle spray at the start of infectionSulphur or fatty acids (potassium soap) according to the label.
  4. Chemical — only when nothing else helps only in a heavy attackA product authorised in your country against powdery mildew.
Powdery mildewsdisease

What you will see

White powdery coating on leaves and stems; leaves curl and dry out.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Sunny, airy position; not in a still spot against a wall.
    • Do not overdo nitrogen (lush young leaves are more susceptible).
    • Water at the roots, not on the leaves.
  2. By hand as soon as the first symptoms appearQuickly cut out affected shoots and burn them or take them away (not to the compost).
  3. Gentle spray at the start of infectionSulphur or fatty acids (potassium soap) according to the label.
  4. Chemical — only when nothing else helps only in a heavy attackA product authorised in your country against powdery mildew.
More about this problem

What you will see

Colonies of tiny insects on shoots and buds, sticky honeydew, curled leaves.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Check plants regularly from spring.
    • Encourage ladybirds, hoverflies, lacewings and parasitic wasps.
  2. By hand as soon as it appearsRub off colonies by hand or wash them off with a jet of water.
  3. Biological spring to summerRelease lacewing larvae, aphid midge larvae or ladybirds.
  4. Gentle spray in a heavy infestation, repeatPotassium soap (fatty acids) or plant oil.
  5. Chemical — only when nothing else helps only as a last resortA product authorised in your country against aphids.
Aphidspest

What you will see

Colonies of tiny insects on shoots and buds, sticky honeydew, curled leaves.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Check plants regularly from spring.
    • Encourage ladybirds, hoverflies, lacewings and parasitic wasps.
  2. By hand as soon as it appearsRub off colonies by hand or wash them off with a jet of water.
  3. Biological spring to summerRelease lacewing larvae, aphid midge larvae or ladybirds.
  4. Gentle spray in a heavy infestation, repeatPotassium soap (fatty acids) or plant oil.
  5. Chemical — only when nothing else helps only as a last resortA product authorised in your country against aphids.
More about this problem
Sources (4)

Frequently asked

Quick answers.

When does gaura flower?

In June–October; the flowers are white or pink.

When do I sow gaura?

In March–June (sow indoors).

Does gaura tolerate shade?

It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.

How much space does gaura need?

At maturity 0.3–1 m wide and 0.9–1.5 m tall; recommended spacing 45 cm.

Root and crown rot — what can you do?

Free-draining soil, no waterlogging (especially in winter). Dig up the affected plant; improve the soil with drainage; do not replant in the same place.

Rusts — what can you do?

Allow space and air flow; do not plant too densely. Cut off and destroy affected leaves.

Sources (9) Checked 24 October 2026

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