Plant Care Apple of Peru

Apple of Peru

About Apple of Peru

Shoofly Plant is an annual summer-blooming plant from Peru in the night-shade family that grows 2-5 feet high with blue flowers. Individual flowers only live for one day, but the plant produces a succession of flowers from summer to early autumn. It has escaped cultivation and naturalized in large areas of the US.

Taxonomy

Nicandra physalodes
Nicandra
Solanaceae
Solanales

Also known as

Apple-of-Peru

How to care for Apple of Peru

💦 Water

How often to water your Apple of Peru

Water needs for Apple of Peru
0.5 cups
every 9

Apple of Peru needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Calculate water needs of Apple of Peru

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for Apple of Peru in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Apple of Peru: 1ft from a window
1ft or less from
a window

Apple of Peru love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Apple of Peru does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Apple of Peru in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Apple of Peru

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Apple of Peru: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Apple of Peru after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs
⭐ Difficulty Level

Apple of Peru is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

How to Grow Apple of Peru →

Benefits of Growing Apple of Peru →

Common Apple of Peru Problems →

Outdoor Care Guide for Apple of Peru →


💦 Water Needs

Apple of Peru prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Apple of Peru Water Frequency →

Apple of Peru Root Rot →


☀️ Sunlight Needs

Apple of Peru requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Apple of Peru Light Requirements →

Apple of Peru Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →


🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Apple of Peru is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. Apple of Peru is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

Is Apple of Peru Edible? →

Apple of Peru Toxicity to Cats →

Apple of Peru Toxicity to Dogs →

Apple of Peru Toxicity to Humans →


🪴 Soil

Apple of Peru does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Apple of Peru →

Best Pots for Apple of Peru →

When and How to Successfully Repot Apple of Peru →

What Are Healthy Apple of Peru Roots →


💩 Fertilizer

Apple of Peru should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Apple of Peru →


⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Apple of Peru grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

Apple of Peru Lifecycle →

Apple of Peru Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Apple of Peru →


🌦️ Growing Outdoors
🌱 Propagation

The seeds of Apple of Peru can be used to grow new plants! After your plant flowers, any seeds that formed can be collected and germinated in potting soil.

How to Propagate Apple of Peru →


🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Apple of Peru, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!


🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.


Care Summary for Apple of Peru

Apple of Peru

Apple of Peru


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 1ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

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