White gaura (Oenothera lindheimeri)
Care, watering, light and tips for White gaura on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Onagraceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
About White gaura
Oenothera lindheimeri, commonly known as Gaura or 'Sommerlys' (summer light in Danish), is a herbaceous perennial native to North America. It is characterized by its delicate white or pink flowers resembling small butterflies, held on slender, flexible stems that give an ethereal, dancing appearance. It is ideal for naturalistic gardens, sunny borders, and containers, adding movement and lightness to the landscape.
Native range
Southern United States (Texas, Louisiana) and northern Mexico
Care tips
It requires full sun for abundant flowering and vigorous growth. It prefers well-drained, even poor soils, and is quite drought-tolerant once established, so overwatering is a common mistake to avoid. To encourage continuous blooming, it is recommended to remove spent flowers (deadheading).
How to save a dying White gaura
- Warning signs
- Yellowing or wilting leaves, soft stems, scarce or no blooms. May show mold or spots if overwatered.
- First aid
- Check drainage and soil moisture. If potted, consider repotting into lighter substrate. Prune damaged flowers and leaves.
- What kills it
- Overwatering and poor drainage, leading to root rot. Also intense direct sun without acclimatization.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if roots aren't completely rotted. Act quickly to correct watering and improve drainage.