Duranta, also called golden dewdrop, is a fast-growing tropical shrub with beautiful blooms and fantastic foliage.
Peter Krumhardt
Duranta is atropical powerhousecommonly referred to as golden dewdrop.
The fast-growing shrub is primarily known for its beautiful blue blooms.
Credit:Peter Krumhardt
Smaller varieties can even be grown as houseplants.
Duranta berries are highly toxic to children and pets.
Note that birds delight in eating the berries and are not affected by their toxins.
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
When grown as an annual, the plant reaches a couple of feet in height.
The plant is salt-tolerant, so its also a good choice for coastal gardens.
Additionally, duranta can be grown in containers and moved indoors when the weather turns cold.
Credit: Robert Cardillo
Because of the many berries duranta plants produce, they can becomeinvasive in tropical areas.
Check with local authorities if you have any concerns.
Cut away any roots that circle the root ball tightly.
Credit: Bill Holt
Position the duranta in the hole and backfill the hole halfway with the reserved soil.
Tamp it to prevent air pockets.
Repeat this action at three-quarters full and again when the plant is sitting just above the soil line.
Credit: Blaine Moats
Duranta Care Tips
Duranta is an extremelyeasy-to-grow annualor shrub, depending on your location.
Flower production is also much better in full sun.
Duranta will grow in partial sun, but a shady location dramatically inhibits its ability to bloom.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Soil and Water
Duranta plants thrive inwell-drained, moist, fertile soil.
Other soil types are tolerable as long as they drain well.
Water duranta plants frequently until they are established.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
After that, duranta should receive at least an inch of rain (or water) per week.
If it starts to wilt, it will quickly bounce back once watered.
Temperature and Humidity
Duranta loves hot, humid weather.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
When grown as an annual, it doesnt tolerate temperatures much lower than 40F.
If the plant is in a container, bring it indoors when the temperature approaches this point.
Pruning
Duranta grows quickly and needs frequentpruningto maintain a neat appearance.
The overall habit of duranta tends to be semi-weeping, but the plant can be manicured to rounded shrubs.
Many duranta varieties have small thorns on their branchesanother reason to keep the plants away from paths.
Some plants that are thornless when young develop thorns as they mature.
Move the container indoors when the temperature drops or position it next to a south-facing wall for warmth.
Even in areas where it is cold-hardy, duranta rarely tolerates temperatures in the 20s.
How to Propagate Duranta
Duranta plants are easy topropagate using stem cuttings.
Take a 6-inch cutting in the summer and remove leaves from the bottom half.
Dip the cut end in rooting powder and plant it in a pot filled with potting mix.
Keep the potting mix moist until you see new growth.
Remove the seeds from the berries and press them into potting mix.
When kept in a warm environment of about 70F, the seeds germinate in one to two months.
The duranta pop in produces light blue flowers in summer, followed by orange berries.
Gold Edge duranta thrives in Zones 9-11.
Sapphire Showers Duranta
Duranta erectaSapphire Showers is an extremely floriferous selection.
Deep blue flowers with a white edge cover plants in summer and throughout the year in tropical climates.
Sapphire Showers duranta is hardy in Zones 9-11.
Alba Duranta
DurantaAlba bears pure-white flowers followed by yellow fruit.
Variegata Duranta
Duranta erectaVariegata is grown for its beautiful variegated foliage.
This duranta variety grows green leaves edged heavily in creamy yellow.
During summer, blue blooms appear.
Variegata duranta rapidly grows to 15 feet in Zones 9-11.
The floral beauty is well suited to growing in the ground or a container.
Its colorful foliage, in shades of chartreuse or purple, is a show-stopping accent.
It makes a big impression when multiple sweet potato vine plants are grown in a large pot.
Sweet potato vine thrives in warm temperatures, prefers moist, well-drained soil, and tolerates sun or shade.
Tweedia
If you love blue flowers,tweediais for you.
The pale plant produces mesmerizing turquoise blooms all season on grayish, felted foliage.
The fragrant five-petal flowers make excellent cut flowers, complementing any bouquet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Duranta has a long blooming season.
Depending on the variety, these plants bloom from mid-spring or early summer until the first heavy frost.
Duranta is a fast-growing plant known to produce blooms and berries simultaneously.
