Erysimum cheiri

Growing in Pots, Balconies & Indoors

The common wallflower is a short-lived, sun-loving perennial prized for its richly fragrant spring flowers, and it grows well in balcony and patio pots with sharp drainage. It is an outdoor plant, not a houseplant.

Quick Details

• Container Size: Small to medium – about 5-15 L (1-4 gal), general guidance
• Indoor Suitability: Not a houseplant – needs full sun and cool, fresh air
• Best Spot: Full sun to light shade
• Soil & Drainage: Free-draining, even slightly lean mix; add grit
• Watering in Pots: Keep lightly moist; it dislikes sitting wet

Indoors & On the Windowsill

• Not a houseplant: The grower marks it ‘no’ – it needs full sun and cool air and soon grows leggy indoors. Grow it outside.
• Hardy outdoors: It is fairly hardy and overwinters outdoors in most climates, so pots can stay outside.

On a Balcony or Patio

• Light & wind: Give it full sun and free-draining soil, and set pots near seating for the perfume. Pots dry fast, so keep them lightly moist.
• Practicalities: Shear back after the main flush to prolong this short-lived plant.

Choosing the Pot, Soil & Long-Term Care

• Pot & drainage: A 5-15 L pot with strong drainage holes; skip a standing-water saucer to avoid root rot. Terracotta breathes and dries fast, while glazed or plastic pots hold moisture longer.
• Potting mix: A free-draining mix with added grit or perlite; it prefers lean, sharp conditions.
• Feeding: Feed sparingly – lean conditions give more flowers.
• Repotting: Refresh the mix or pot up about every couple of years; for perennials, lightly prune the root ball and top growth at the same time.

Bloom & Flower Guide

Quick Details

• Bloom Season: Spring to summer, and near year-round in mild climates
• Time to First Bloom: On established plants; can flower in the first season if started early
• Flower Appearance: Four-petalled, cross-shaped flowers in short spikes, in purple, pink, white, brown, yellow, orange, red or mixes
• Edibility: Ornamental only; wallflowers contain cardiac glycosides and should not be eaten

Detailed Blooming Overview

The common wallflower (Erysimum cheiri) is beloved for its warmly fragrant, long-blooming flowers in rich colours. As lovely as it is, it is strictly ornamental and should not be eaten.

Flower Characteristics

• Four-petalled “cross” flowers, typical of the cabbage family, in clustered spikes across a broad colour range.
• Sweetly scented, opening in succession over several weeks.

Bloom Care & Thinning

• Encouraging bloom: Full sun, lean well-drained soil and deadheading keep it flowering; a light trim after the main flush tidies and renews the plant.
• Pollination: Nectar and scent draw bees and butterflies.
• Safety: The plant contains cardiac glycosides, so enjoy the flowers for their display and do not eat them.