Knowledgebase
Why is my Esperanza not blooming? #764711
Asked July 29, 2021, 7:47 PM EDT
My single Esperanza has not bloomed since being planted 4 years ago. Faces East. Very healthy; grows “up and out” rapidly!!
Williamson County Texas
Expert Response
I think you might have answered yourself in your question - you mention that the plant is east-facing. To bloom successfully, it needs bright, hot, full sun. It can tolerate some shade, but to be truly successful, full sun is best. You can check how much sun the plant is getting with a light meter. You can check one out from the library here: https://austin.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S67C981896
If it is getting anything less than full sun, then consider moving it to a sunnier (south-facing) location.
Other possible issues: drainage (it needs to be planted in a well-drained location) and lack of phosphorus.
If drainage is the issue, consider planting it in a raised bed.
You can check for nutrient imbalances with a soil test from the Texas A&M lab. Instructions on how to collect and submit a sample to the lab can be found here: http://soiltesting.tamu.edu/files/urbansoil.pdf