Consulta Plantas

Care of the plant Echium simplex or Tower of jewels

The genus Echium, family Boraginaceae, comprises about 60 species of shrubs and herbaceous plants native to the Mediterranean basin, the Canary Islands and Madeira. Some species are: Echium simplex, Echium webbii, Echium fastuosum, Echium wildpretii, Echium lycopsis, Echium rubrum, Echium vulgare, Echium decaisnei, Echium creticum, Echium callithyrsum, Echium hierrense.

Common name: Tower of jewels. This species is native to the island of Tenerife.

They are unbranched biennial herbaceous plants that reach 3 meters (9.84 feet) in height when they flower. The first year they develop a rosette with broad lanceolate leaves and the second or third year they produce a long cylindrical inflorescence filled with scented white flowers. They bloom in spring. The mother plant dies after flowering but before it produces many seeds in small walnut-shaped fruits.

They are used in borders, in rockeries, on dry and sunny slopes and in pots for patios and terraces. They are honey plants that attract bees. They are also ideal for frost-free Mediterranean coastal gardens.

The Echium simplex needs full sun exposure and a warm climate. It does not resist temperatures below 5 ºC (41 ºF).

The soil can be a normal well-drained garden soil with coarse sand and containing a little organic matter, although they also grow in poor, sandy or stony soil.

They have good resistance to drought, so they need moderate watering, waiting for the substrate to dry out.

Fertilize with a little compost at the end of winter.

Pruning is not necessary.

These plants do not usually present serious pest and disease problems.

They are propagated from seeds sown in autumn.

Images of the plant Echium simplex or Tower of jewels