Also known as Baby's Breath · 249 saves
Gypsophila
Gypsophila, the genus most gardeners know as baby's breath. We track 8 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 7 most-saved Gypsophila varieties
Browse all 8 Gypsophila varieties →
Species of Gypsophila
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Gypsophila in Sow
Save the Gypsophila you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Gypsophila
Whats common across all Gypsophila varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 8 most-grown of them.
The Gypsophila year
- PruneJuly88% of varieties
Shear back by one-third after the main flush of blooms to encourage bushiness
- Spring CleanupFebruary50% of varieties
Cut back old, woody stems to the ground before new growth begins
- HarvestJune and July38% of varieties
Cut stems when 75% of flowers are open for best vase life
- PlantMarch, April and September38% of varieties
Plant in well-drained soil after last frost or in early fall.
- StakeApril and May38% of varieties
Provide support (pea stakes or twiggy branches) before growth gets too tall.
Do
- Water regularly during dry spells 🌱
- Prune after flowering to maintain shape
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
- Give it sun and sharply drained soil ☀️
- Sweeten acid soil with garden lime 🧪
Avoid
- Avoid heavy fertilization
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Plant it in wet or acid ground ❌
- Move an established plant — the taproot resents it ❌
What goes wrong with Gypsophila
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Clusters on the soft new shoot tips, with sticky honeydew below | Dislodge with a jet of water; the flowering stems are usually too fine to be worth spraying |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled yellow leaves | Increase humidity and spray with miticide |
| Leafhoppers | Pale flecked foliage; they also carry the phytoplasma that causes distorted, greenish flowers | Remove and destroy any plant with distorted green blooms, since aster yellows cannot be cured |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Ensure proper drainage and reduce watering |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply sulfur fungicide |
| Root and crown rot | The mound yellows and collapses from the centre, most often over a wet winter | Improve drainage before planting; on heavy ground grow it in a raised bed or gravel garden |
Making more Gypsophila
Seed
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring.
- Maintain soil moisture for 2 weeks until germination occurs.
cuttings
- Take softwood cuttings in late spring.
- Dip in rooting hormone and plant in moist soil.
- Maintain humidity for 4-6 weeks until roots develop.
Gypsophila questions
How many types of Gypsophila are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 8 distinct Gypsophila varieties. The most popular — ranked by 249 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Gypsophila grow in?
Across its varieties, Gypsophila covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Gypsophila bloom?
Most Gypsophila varieties bloom in late spring, summer, late spring to mid-summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Gypsophila should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.