Will it come back every year?

It is a biennial, so it grows leaves the first year and flowers the second, but it self seeds so reliably that it seems perennial.

Can I grow it in full sun?

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

Plant guide

Forget-me-not.

Myosotis sylvatica

Pronounced my-oh-SO-tis sil-VAT-ih-kuh

Also known as Garden Forget-me-not, Wood Forget-me-not, Woodland Forget-me-not

The wood forget-me-not is a charming biennial that brings a soft, blue haze to woodland gardens. It self-seeds readily, often creating a naturalized carpet of color in spring. These plants thrive in cool, moist conditions and pair beautifully with other shade-loving perennials.

Another photo of Forget-me-not — Photo by Ashley Butcher (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Herbaceous biennial
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 2 to 5 days
Mature size: 30cm tall and 30cm wide
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 8
Bloom time: Mid to late spring

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist to prevent wilting during warmer spells. Watch for powdery mildew on the foliage if air circulation is poor. Deadhead spent blooms if you want to limit self-seeding throughout your garden.

Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once during the active growing season.
Pruning: Cut back stems after flowering to tidy the plant and prevent unwanted spread.
Repotting: Usually grown in the ground, but if in pots, refresh soil annually.
Soil: Humus-rich, moist, well-draining soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly acidic
Temperature: -20 to 25°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Short-lived perennial, typically 2 to 3 years.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
Plant growth slowing significantly during the active season.

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non toxic but is not intended for consumption.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: Keep away from small children as the small seeds and foliage can be a choking hazard if ingested.
Contact allergens: Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from handling the foliage.
Airborne allergens: The pollen is not a major allergen for most people.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

Small five-petaled sky-blue flowers
Yellow or white central eye
Hairy lance-shaped green leaves
Loose branching flowering stems
Low growing basal foliage rosette

Height: 0.15 to 0.3m
Spread: 0.15 to 0.3m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: blue, pink, white, 0.5 to 1cm

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Powdery MildewCommon
Root RotUncommon
Slugs and SnailsUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your forget-me-not from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Leave the foliage in place to protect the crown during winter. In very cold areas, a light layer of mulch helps prevent frost heaving.
In containers: They grow well in containers if kept consistently moist and out of direct hot sun, using at least a 6 inch pot.

Direct Sowing

1. Scatter seeds on prepared soil in late summer or autumn.
2. Lightly rake the soil to cover seeds.
3. Keep the area moist until germination occurs.

Plant them beneath deciduous shrubs to provide a living mulch that dies back as the shrubs leaf out.

Grows well with

Tulip · They provide a beautiful color contrast when blooming together in spring.
Bleeding Heart · They share similar woodland shade requirements.

Similar species

Woodland Forget me not · This is the primary species discussed.

Science

Family: Boraginaceae
Genus: Myosotis
Order: Boraginales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Europe and parts of Asia.
Conservation: This plant is common and not of conservation concern.

It thrives in cool, moist woodland edges where it can spread through prolific seed production.

Value to wildlife: early season nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: woodland gardens, spring borders, naturalizing, container filler

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Temperature: 4/9
Nutrients: 5/9
Light: 5/9
Moisture: 7/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Will it come back every year?: It is a biennial, so it grows leaves the first year and flowers the second, but it self seeds so reliably that it seems perennial.
Can I grow it in full sun?: It prefers partial shade but will tolerate full sun if the soil stays consistently moist.

Where the name comes from

Myosotis is Greek for mouse ear, describing the leaf shape, while sylvatica means of the woods.

Good to know

A close relative, the alpine forget-me-not, is the state flower of Alaska.
The name comes from the Greek words for mouse ear, referring to the leaf shape.
It self seeds readily to create a carpet of blue in spring.
It is a biennial that often acts like a short lived perennial.

Also in

Plants for shade

Keep your forget-me-not growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

Get the app

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.