This evergreen, fast-growing perennial does best in sandy soil which is moist, but drains well. Enriching the soil with humus improves growth. It prefers full sun although it can tolerate semi-shade, but it may not flower as prolifically.

Plants can be propagated from seed, cuttings or by means of dividing. Seed should be germinated in a cold frame in spring. Established plants can be divided in late spring. One can also try cutting offsets away from the main clump with a sharp spade, especially in the case where the parent plant is old and woody. Leave them to grow on for a season or two before re-planting.

To ensure optimal and healthy growth it is important to clean the plant of dead and decaying leaves, as well as removing spent flower spikes. Ensure that they are taken out at the base. These flower spikes can cause nasty cuts when gardeners work with the plants and in addition could become a hiding place for pests such as earwigs and woodlice.

Where pests are concerned, these plants can be damaged by snails and slugs, as well as thrips which could cause mottling of the leaves.

Diseases that could prove to be a problem is violet rot if the drainage of the soil is impaired.