Do I need to stake my delphiniums?

Yes, their tall stems are quite heavy and often need support to prevent them from falling over.

Can I grow them in pots?

They prefer the ground but can grow in large, deep containers if provided with excellent drainage.

Plant guide

Alpine delphinium.

Delphinium elatum

Pronounced del-FIN-ee-um ee-LAY-tum

Also known as Alpine Delphinium, Alpine Larkspur, Candle larkspur, bee larkspur

Alpine Larkspur — Photo by Ryan Hodnett (CC BY-SA) via iNaturalist

These tall, stately perennials are famous for their dramatic spikes of blue, purple, or white flowers. They add a classic cottage garden feel to any sunny border. You'll love how they draw pollinators like bees and butterflies to your yard.

At a glance

Care level: Difficult
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 6 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 7
Bloom time: Early to mid summer

Care

Provide these plants with rich, well draining soil and protection from strong winds to keep their tall stems upright. Watch for powdery mildew on the leaves during humid spells. Deadhead the spent flower spikes to encourage a second flush of blooms later in the season.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Cut back spent flower stalks to encourage new growth.
Repotting: Divide established clumps every few years to maintain plant vigor.
Soil: Rich, moist, well draining
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
Temperature: -25 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water sitting on the surface for too long.
Stunted growth during the active season.

Safety

People: This plant contains diterpene alkaloids that are poisonous to humans and pets when consumed.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant away from children as all parts are toxic if chewed or swallowed.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause skin irritation or dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen is generally not considered a major allergen.
Edibility: All parts of this plant are highly toxic if ingested and can cause severe illness.

How to identify it

Tall spikes of spurred flowers
Deeply lobed palm shaped leaves
Hollow stems often needing support
Vibrant blue or purple petals

Height: 1 to 2m
Spread: 0.45 to 0.6m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: blue, purple, white, 3 to 5cm

Problems to watch for

Powdery MildewCommon
Slugs and SnailsCommon
AphidsUncommon
Botrytis BlightUncommon
Leaf SpotUncommon
Root RotUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Cut the stems back to the ground after the foliage dies down in autumn. Apply a layer of mulch to protect the crown from extreme temperature fluctuations.
In containers: They can grow in large pots, but they need a container at least 40 cm deep to accommodate their root system.

Division

1. Dig up the plant in early spring.
2. Carefully pull the root clump apart into smaller sections.
3. Replant immediately in fertile soil.

Plant them behind shorter perennials to hide the lower foliage as it begins to yellow after blooming.

Grows well with

Peony · They bloom at similar times and provide a beautiful color contrast.
Phlox · They share similar moisture needs and fill out the garden bed nicely.

Similar species

Larkspur · It is a smaller, annual relative that looks very similar.

Science

Family: Ranunculaceae
Genus: Delphinium
Order: Ranunculales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Central and southern Europe to central Asia.
Conservation: Not of conservation concern.

It grows in moist, fertile meadows and mountain slopes where it can access consistent water.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Uses: ornamental, cut flowers

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 7/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Do I need to stake my delphiniums?: Yes, their tall stems are quite heavy and often need support to prevent them from falling over.
Can I grow them in pots?: They prefer the ground but can grow in large, deep containers if provided with excellent drainage.

Where the name comes from

The name refers to the dolphin shaped nectary, while elatum is Latin for tall.

Good to know

The name Delphinium comes from the Greek word for dolphin, referring to the shape of the flower bud.
These plants often require staking because their tall spikes are prone to snapping in high winds.
They are considered one of the most iconic blue flowers in the perennial world.

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.