Is this plant a weed?

Yes, it is widely considered an invasive weed in gardens and agricultural fields.

How do I get rid of it?

Hand-pulling before it sets seed is the most effective way to manage small populations.

Plant guide

Persian speedwell.

Veronica persica

Pronounced veh-RON-ih-kah PER-sih-kah

Also known as Bird's Eye Speedwell, Birdeye speedwell, Birds-eye Speedwell, Buxbaum's Speedwell, Common Field-Speedwell, Field speedwell, Persian speedwell, Scrambling speedwell

bird's-eye speedwell — Photo by Douglas Goldman (CC BY-SA) via iNaturalist

This charming little plant is a common sight in gardens and fields during the cooler months. It is a low growing annual that spreads quickly across the ground. You will love its tiny, bright blue flowers that pop up in early spring.

Another photo of Persian speedwell — Photo by Lauren Harter (CC0) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Annual herb
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 6 to 12 inches tall
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 9
Bloom time: Early spring to late autumn

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged to support its rapid growth. Watch for wilting during dry spells, as this plant prefers cooler and damp conditions. It is quite hardy and often reseeds itself naturally.

Watering: Water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer sparingly during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back leggy stems to encourage a bushier shape and more blooms.
Repotting: Since this is an annual, you typically do not need to repot it.
Soil: Well draining loamy soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -15 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Annual, typically 1 year
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Safety

People: It is generally considered non-toxic, but ingestion is not recommended.
Children: There are no specific safety concerns for children, though it is best to discourage eating wild plants.
Contact allergens: No significant skin irritation is associated with this plant.
Airborne allergens: The pollen may cause mild reactions in sensitive individuals during peak flowering.
Edibility: This plant is not typically consumed and may cause digestive upset if ingested in quantity.

How to identify it

Tiny bright blue flowers
Oval leaves with serrated edges
Hairy stems and foliage
Low growing spreading habit

Height: 0.05 to 0.3m
Spread: 0.1 to 0.4m
Leaves: medium green, deciduous
Flowers: bright blue, white, 0.5 to 1.2cm
Fruit: brown, summer to autumn

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Downy MildewCommon
Leaf SpotUncommon
Powdery MildewUncommon
RustUncommon
Slugs and SnailsUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: In mild climates, it may remain green through winter. In colder areas, it dies back and relies on seeds to survive until spring.
In containers: It is rarely grown in containers as it is considered a weed, but it would grow easily in any standard potting mix.

Seed

1. Collect mature seed pods in late spring.
2. Scatter seeds directly onto disturbed soil.
3. Keep the area lightly moist until germination occurs.

Because this plant spreads rapidly, it is best to manage it as a temporary ground cover rather than a permanent companion.

Grows well with

Common Chickweed · They often share the same disturbed soil habitats in early spring.
Deadnettle · These species frequently grow together in cool, moist garden beds.

Similar species

Bird's-eye Speedwell · It has a similar flower color but grows as a more persistent perennial.

Science

Family: Plantaginaceae
Genus: Veronica
Order: Lamiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Eurasia
Conservation: It is a widespread, non-native weed in many regions and is not of conservation concern.

It thrives in disturbed habitats like gardens and roadsides by producing large quantities of seeds that persist in the soil.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ground cover, wildflower garden

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 6/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is this plant a weed?: Yes, it is widely considered an invasive weed in gardens and agricultural fields.
How do I get rid of it?: Hand-pulling before it sets seed is the most effective way to manage small populations.

Where the name comes from

The genus name honors Saint Veronica, while the species name persica refers to its historical association with the Persian region.

Good to know

It is commonly called bird's eye speedwell because of its bright, eye-like blue flowers.
The plant is an efficient colonizer that can germinate in almost any disturbed soil.
It was introduced to North America from Eurasia in the 19th century.

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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.