Fairy Flax.

En un coup d'œil

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Perennial flowering plant

Light

Full Sun

Indoor light

direct

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

0.5 meters tall and wide

Growth rate

medium

Hardiness

USDA 4 to 9

Bloom time

Late spring to early autumn

Entretien

Provide full sun and well-draining soil; avoid overwatering, especially in humid conditions. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers and maintain a tidy appearance. Cut back plants in late winter or early spring to promote fresh growth.

Watering

Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry; reduce watering in cooler months.

Feeding

Fertilize sparingly in spring with a balanced liquid fertilizer if desired, but it often thrives without it.

Pruning

Prune back stems in late winter or early spring to encourage new growth and shape the plant.

Repotting

Repot container-grown plants every 2-3 years in spring when rootbound, using a well-draining potting mix.

Soil

Well-draining, gritty, or sandy soil

Soil pH

Slightly acidic to neutral

Temperature

-20 to 30°C

Humidity

20 to 50%

Sécurité

People

While not typically considered highly toxic, ingesting parts of this plant may cause mild stomach upset in some individuals.

Children

The plant itself poses no significant ingestion or handling risk for children, though it's always best to discourage eating unknown plants.

Contact allergens

The fine hairs on the stems and leaves could cause minor skin irritation for sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

Pollen production is generally low, so respiratory allergies are unlikely.

Edibility

This plant is not intended for human consumption.

Comment l'identifier

• Fine, linear, grey-green leaves
• Small, five-petaled flowers
• Upright, wiry stems
• Forms a compact, mounding habit
• Numerous flowers bloom at once

Height

0.15 to 0.5m

Spread

0.15 to 0.5m

Leaves

grey-green, green, evergreen

Flowers

blue, pink, white, 1 to 2cm

La cultiver

Propagation

seed, division

When to plant

spring, autumn

Plant it in well-drained areas where it won't be overshadowed by larger, more vigorous plants.

Bonnes associations

• Thyme — Thyme shares similar habitat preferences for well-drained soils and full sun, making them excellent companions.
• Eroded Rockrose — This rockrose also enjoys dry, sunny conditions and rocky substrates, complementing the flax's needs.
• Blue Fescue — The fine texture and blue-gray color of Blue Fescue provide a beautiful contrast to the delicate flowers and foliage of Linum tenuifolium.

À éloigner de

• Overly Watered Soil — Linum tenuifolium is susceptible to root rot if the soil remains consistently wet.
• Aggressive Weeds — Vigorous weeds can easily outcompete this delicate flax for resources.

Espèces similaires

• Common Flax — Common flax is a much larger, cultivated species grown for its fiber and seeds, lacking the wild, delicate appearance of Linum tenuifolium.
• Alpine Flax — While also a smaller flax, Linum alpinum often has slightly larger flowers and a more compact growth habit, typically found at higher altitudes.

Science

Family

Linaceae

Genus

Linum

Order

Malpighiales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Europe, particularly in alpine and subalpine regions.

Conservation

This species is not currently listed as endangered or of special concern.

It typically grows in open, sunny habitats like meadows, rocky slopes, and dry grasslands.

Uses

Ornamental

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

What kind of soil does Linum tenuifolium prefer?

It thrives in well-drained, sandy or gravelly soils.

Is this plant drought tolerant?

Yes, once established, it has good drought tolerance.

What is the flowering time?

It typically blooms in early to mid-summer.

D'où vient le nom

The common name 'Slender Flax' comes from its delicate appearance and slender leaves. The scientific name, Linum tenuifolium, also reflects its slender foliage, with 'Linum' being the ancient Latin name for flax.

Bon à savoir

• The specific epithet 'tenuifolium' means 'slender-leaved', referring to its delicate foliage.
• It prefers well-drained soils and can tolerate drier conditions once established.
• This flax is a low-growing perennial, forming small clumps.