Gypsophila elegans

Gypsophila elegans — annual baby's breath

Gypsophila elegans is the botanical name for annual baby's breath, the airy cloud of tiny flowers that softens borders and bouquets alike. It is the species behind our gypsophila range within the flower seed collection.

History & origin

Native to the Caucasus and surrounding regions, gypsophila grows wild on chalky, stony ground — a clue to its name and its love of lime in the garden. Quick and easy from seed, it has become a florist's staple the world over.

The names are descriptive: Gypsophila comes from the Greek for “gypsum-loving,” for its preference for chalky soils, while elegans simply means “elegant,” for its dainty, graceful sprays.

Botanical characteristics

A fast, slender hardy annual, Gypsophila elegans forms a haze of branching, thread-fine stems carrying a profusion of small, single white or pink flowers, like a delicate mist above the foliage. That airy quality makes it the perfect filler among cut flowers, and the open sprays are a quiet draw for bees and small pollinators.

Growing Gypsophila elegans from seed

Annual baby's breath is wonderfully quick and easy — sow direct where it is to flower from spring, in full sun and free-draining, ideally limy soil, and thin the seedlings. It dislikes root disturbance, so sow in succession every few weeks for a continuous supply. Our flower growing guide and flower sowing calendar cover the timing.

Ready to grow gypsophila? Browse the varieties or learn the basics first.

Related categories: Gypsophila · Cut Flowers · Annual Flowers · Pollinator Flowers · All Flower Seeds

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