Purple Scaevola Fan Flower | Live Plant | Australian Evergreen Shrub | Zones 9–11 | Pots & Baskets

Purple Scaevola Fan Flower – Live Plant

The Purple Scaevola (Scaevola aemula) is a sun-loving Australian native shrub celebrated for its abundant fan-shaped lavender-purple flowers that bloom in cheerful circular clusters from spring through fall. One of the most prolific and heat-tolerant flowering plants available for containers and hanging baskets, Scaevola performs beautifully in coastal conditions and high-heat summer gardens with virtually no deadheading required — it is completely self-cleaning.

The trailing, spreading habit creates a magnificent cascading curtain of purple blooms that is especially stunning in hanging baskets and window boxes. Hardy in Zones 9–11 as a perennial; grown as a summer annual in cooler climates. Thrives in bright indoor light and makes an exceptional houseplant where winters are cold.

Plant Details

• Botanical Name: Scaevola aemula
• Common Name: Purple Fan Flower, Fairy Fan Flower
• Type: Evergreen shrub — perennial in Zones 9–11; annual elsewhere
• Flower: Fan-shaped lavender-purple blooms in circular clusters; spring through fall
• Habit: Trailing and spreading — ideal for hanging baskets and containers
• Light: Full sun to bright indirect light; avoid intense midday sun indoors
• Hardiness Zones: 9–11 (perennial); grown as annual in cooler zones
• Origin: Australia

Planting Guide

• Containers: Plant 3–5 starters per 10-inch hanging basket for a full, cascading display. For 4-inch pots, 1 plant per pot is ideal.
• Use a well-draining potting mix; fortified container soils with added perlite work best.
• Pinch stems 5–10 days after transplanting to encourage branching and bushy growth; repeat if needed as the plant establishes.
• In garden beds, space plants 12–18 inches apart in a sunny, well-drained location.

Care & Maintenance

• Watering: Water regularly and consistently — drought stress causes leaf drop. Do not allow to dry out completely during summer.
• Winter: If overwintering, reduce watering significantly and maintain a minimum temperature of 55°F (13°C).
• Fertilizing: Feed weekly with a diluted liquid fertilizer containing micronutrients — Scaevola is a heavy feeder and rewards generous, consistent fertilization with prolific blooming.
• Deadheading: Not required — Purple Scaevola is self-cleaning and blooms continuously without deadheading.
• Overwintering: In frost-prone areas, bring containers indoors before first frost and place in the brightest available window.

Design Ideas

• Hanging baskets — trailing stems create a dramatic cascading purple waterfall effect
• Window boxes and patio containers paired with white Scaevola for a stunning high-contrast display
• Ground cover in warm-climate garden beds and coastal landscapes
• Mixed container plantings with petunias, calibrachoa, or lobelia in complementary purples and whites
• Bright indoor plant in a south or west-facing window during winter months