Can I grow this in a normal garden bed?

Yes, as long as the soil remains consistently moist and does not dry out.

Does it need full sun?

It prefers partial shade but will tolerate full sun if the soil stays wet.

Plant guide

Water forget-me-not.

Myosotis scorpioides

Pronounced my-oh-SO-tis skor-pee-OY-deez

Also known as Common Water Forget-Me-Not, European forget-me-not, Forget-me-not, Forget-me-not Water

water forget-me-not — Photo by Patrick Hacker (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This charming perennial loves damp spots and brings a splash of blue to your garden. It thrives near water and spreads easily to form lovely mats of color. You will find it is a classic choice for bog gardens or pond edges.

Another photo of Water forget-me-not — Photo by Mark Apgar (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 1 to 3 days
Mature size: 1 to 2 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 9
Bloom time: Late spring to late summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist or even submerged in shallow water. Watch for wilting if the soil dries out too much. Trim back after flowering to encourage a second flush of blooms.

Watering: Keep the soil constantly damp as this plant dislikes drying out.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Cut back stems after flowering to keep the plant tidy and encourage new growth.
Repotting: Repot when the plant becomes root bound or outgrows its container.
Soil: Moist to wet soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly acidic
Temperature: -20 to 30°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Stunted growth
Soil drying out too quickly

Safety

People: The plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids which can be harmful to the liver if consumed in large amounts over time.
Children: Keep away from small children as ingestion of the foliage can cause digestive distress.
Contact allergens: Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from handling the foliage.
Airborne allergens: The pollen is not considered a significant allergen.
Edibility: While not highly toxic, it is not considered edible and may cause stomach upset if ingested in quantity.

How to identify it

Small sky blue flowers with yellow centers
Soft hairy lance shaped leaves
Stems that often creep along ground
Flowers arranged in coiled clusters

Height: 0.15 to 0.4m
Spread: 0.2 to 0.6m
Leaves: bright green, semi-evergreen
Flowers: blue, yellow, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: brown, late summer

Problems to watch for

Powdery mildew · A white fungal growth on leaves often caused by poor air circulation or dry soil.
Aphids · Small insects that cluster on new growth and suck plant sap.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: In cold climates, the foliage may die back to the ground. Simply clear away dead debris in early spring to make room for new growth.
In containers: It grows well in containers placed in shallow water or kept very moist, using a minimum 20 cm pot.

Division

1. Dig up a clump in early spring.
2. Gently pull the root mass apart into smaller sections.
3. Replant immediately in moist soil.

Group this plant with others that love wet feet to create a lush, low maintenance bog garden.

Grows well with

Marsh Marigold · They share similar requirements for wet, boggy soil conditions.
Yellow Flag Iris · This provides a nice height contrast in a pond side planting.

Similar species

Woodland Forget Me Not · A related species that prefers drier, shaded woodland conditions.

Science

Family: Boraginaceae
Genus: Myosotis
Order: Boraginales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Europe and parts of Asia.
Conservation: Not of conservation concern.

It grows along stream banks and in wetlands, using its creeping stems to colonize damp ground.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, larval host plant
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: bog garden plant, pond edge filler, ground cover, pollinator garden

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 5/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 8/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I grow this in a normal garden bed?: Yes, as long as the soil remains consistently moist and does not dry out.
Does it need full sun?: It prefers partial shade but will tolerate full sun if the soil stays wet.

Where the name comes from

Myosotis comes from Greek for mouse ear, describing the leaf shape, while scorpioides refers to the coiled flower spike.

Good to know

It is often called water forget me not.
The flowers have a tiny yellow eye in the center.
It spreads readily by creeping stems that root at the nodes.
It thrives in shallow water or very damp soil.

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.