Viper's bugloss.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Biennial wildflower

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

3 feet tall

Growth rate

Medium

Hardiness

USDA 3 to 8

Bloom time

Late spring to early autumn

Care

Plant this in a sunny spot with excellent drainage to prevent root rot. Watch for wilting if the soil stays too wet for too long. It's very drought tolerant once established.

Watering

Water only when the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch.

Feeding

It generally does not need fertilizer and prefers lean soil conditions.

Pruning

Deadhead spent flower spikes to encourage a tidy appearance or prevent unwanted self seeding.

Repotting

If grown in a container, move it to a larger pot only if the taproot becomes crowded.

Soil

Well draining, rocky, or sandy soil

Soil pH

Neutral to alkaline

Temperature

-20 to 35°C

Humidity

20 to 50%

Safety

People

The plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids which can be harmful if consumed in large quantities.

Pets

This plant can be mildly toxic to pets if ingested due to pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

Children

Keep children away from the bristly stems as they can cause painful skin scratches.

Contact allergens

The stiff hairs on the stems and leaves can cause skin irritation or rashes upon contact.

Airborne allergens

The pollen may trigger mild allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Edibility

This plant is not considered edible and may cause digestive distress if ingested.

How to identify it

• Tall spikes of bright blue flowers
• Stiff, bristly hairs on stems
• Narrow, lance shaped basal leaves
• Red stamens protruding from petals

Height

0.3 to 0.9m

Spread

0.2 to 0.45m

Leaves

green, gray-green, deciduous

Flowers

blue, purple, pink, 1 to 2cm

Problems to watch for

• Powdery mildew · A white fungal growth on leaves often caused by poor air circulation.

Growing it

Propagation

seed

When to plant

spring, autumn

Pair this plant with other drought tolerant wildflowers to create a low maintenance meadow that supports local bees.

Grows well with

• Common Yarrow · They share similar drought tolerant needs and thrive in sunny meadows.
• Corn Poppy · They both flourish in disturbed soil and provide a classic wildflower look.

Similar species

• Purple viper's bugloss · It is a closely related species with a similar appearance but often considered more invasive.

Science

Family

Boraginaceae

Genus

Echium

Order

Boraginales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Europe and parts of Western Asia.

Conservation

It is considered an invasive weed in some parts of North America and should be managed accordingly.

It is a pioneer species that quickly colonizes disturbed, dry, and nutrient poor ground.

Value to wildlife

excellent nectar source, attracts native pollinators

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

pollinator gardens, wildflower meadows, xeriscaping

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is it easy to grow from seed?

Yes, it readily self seeds in sunny, well drained spots.

Does it need fertilizer?

No, it prefers lean soil and will likely suffer if given too much nitrogen.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Echium comes from the Greek word echis, meaning viper, because the seeds resemble a viper's head. The species name vulgare simply means common.

Good to know

• It is a biennial, meaning it grows leaves the first year and flowers the second.
• The plant is highly attractive to honeybees and produces high quality honey.
• It thrives in poor, rocky soil where other plants struggle to grow.

Also in

• Plants toxic to cats and dogs