Biennial Gaura (Oenothera biennis) Seeds

Grow Biennial Gaura, a graceful, airy flowering plant with delicate blooms carried on tall, slender stems. This easy-to-grow wildflower adapts well to rocky or sandy soils and is valued for its drought tolerance and ability to attract butterflies. When grown from seed, the plant establishes itself during its first year and produces its full bloom in the second year.

Key Details

• Botanical Name: Oenothera biennis
• Common Name: Biennial Gaura
• Type: Biennial Wildflower
• Maturity: Full bloom in the second year
• USDA Growing Zones: 4–8
• Growth Habit: Upright, branching, airy
• Flower Color: Pink and white
• Flower Form: Delicate flowers on tall, slender stems
• Plant Height: Approximately 2–5 feet
• Plant Width: Approximately 1–2 feet
• Bloom Time: Summer through fall
• Frost Tolerance: Frost tolerant once established; young seedlings should be protected from hard freezes
• Drought Tolerance: Highly drought tolerant once established

Features

• Beautiful pink and white flowers
• Biennial growth habit with full flowering in the second year
• Excellent choice for wildflower and naturalized gardens
• Attracts butterflies and other pollinators
• Adapts well to rocky and sandy soils
• Highly drought tolerant once established
• Tall, graceful flower stalks make attractive cut flowers
• Readily self-sows when allowed to produce mature seed

Growing Information

• Light: Full sun
• Soil: Well-draining soil; adapts well to rocky or sandy soil
• Seed Depth: Just below the soil surface
• Plant Spacing: 12–18 inches
• Germination: Approximately 2–4 weeks
• Optimal Germination Temperature: Around 70°F
• Water: Keep soil lightly moist during germination; water established plants during prolonged drought

Fall Sowing: Direct sow in late fall, planting the seeds just below the soil surface. Natural winter conditions provide the cold period needed for spring germination.

Spring Sowing: Mix the seeds with moist sand and store them in the refrigerator for approximately 60 days before planting. After cold stratification, sow the seeds in a flat or individual peat pots. Keep the soil lightly moist at approximately 70°F. Germination usually occurs within 2–4 weeks. When the weather has warmed and seedlings are well established, transplant them outdoors.