Sorry, I'm not going to be any help; I've never had luck with heliotrope, not even in its first year.

I've tried it in pots and in the ground, and it just sits there ... so it sounds like you're way ahead if it's actually going to bloom indoors.

Is this actually a tender perennial? In that case, it might benefit from a "rest period" with lower temperatures, & less water, with a "spring" coming in March with additional warmth, water, and food. That's just a guess, though, and it would depend on where this plant originated, and what the winter conditions are there.

Thanks DTD, I'll have to do more research on this plant. It's the first time it's ever done well for me, I had it in a shallow, wide pot and pinched it this year, and it did flower with nice vanilla-scented flowers, although you had to get up close to it to really appreciate it. I wanted it as a butterfly plant although I'm not sure I ever saw many butterflies on it.

I have never tried to overwinter heliotrope, but was intrigued but your original question. So yesterday I did a search and didn't come up with an answer to your question about how well it does in subsequent years. However, I do remember seeing someone advising that they could be overwintered as house plants. So I think what you have done so far has been good. Good luck. I really like them and in my yard the biggest problem seems to be that they quickly respond unfavorably to dry conditions. Other plants are still fine, but they are not. Hard for someone like me who often is behind in watering.

Thanks. I got an answer in the Perennials forum that they should do fine in subsequent years with some pruning back, which I was planning to do in spring anyway.

They are from South America so I don't believe they need a cold dormancy period.

I am overwintering a Heliotrope and right now, it seems to be doing just fine. I am a complete newbie at gardening, but I have a scientific background and read a good bit.

Right now (we're now end of Feb., in Montreal Canada) it seems to be doing great. Starts showing signs of getting leggy, but I figured that was normal... It sits on the window sill of my bathroom (so no artificial light), where it's 24°C (75°F for most people from US), sometimes humid (bath or shower) but often dry as there's an electrical heater right under... (no choice!). I have to water it almost every morning though, otherwise, I notice it looses leaves after they turn brown/dry. I also spray it with water once in a while (up to 4-5 times a day, sometimes none). I trimmed it a bit in Dec. and it responded well. 2 new shoots grew on the node under each trimming place. I might trim it again soon, and maybe giving it new soil and better light to prepare it to come outside in a few months... Not sure though...

I'm not quite sure what species/variety it is, but I'll do some research on it. My 1st impression is that it might be an arborescens, since it does look like a miniature tree, with old-looking bark on lots of the stems...

Thanks

-ChrisL