Persian speedwell.

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

Common problems

• Downy mildew — Appears as yellow patches on leaves with fuzzy growth underneath during damp conditions.

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.

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

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.