How to Grow Forget-me-not
Myosotis sylvatica
Forget-me-nots are hardy biennials that thrive in partial shade or full sun with moist, well-drained soil. Sow in summer for flowers the following spring, or buy as autumn or spring bedding plants. They self-seed prolifically — once in your garden they return year after year. Plant under tulips and spring bulbs for a classic cottage combination. Pull up after flowering to prevent mildew spread, but shake the plants over the soil first to scatter seeds. No feeding needed; average garden soil suits them perfectly.
When to Start
Direct sow outdoors as soon as soil reaches 5°C — typically early to mid spring. Can also be started indoors 3 weeks earlier for a head start.
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Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Rarely needed. Thrives in average to moist soil — avoid rich feeding which produces leafy growth at the expense of flowers.
- Classic spring bedding biennial. Self-seeds prolifically — once established in a garden it returns year after year. One of the few flowers that tolerates partial shade.
Growing Conditions
- Min. soil temperature
- 5°C+
- Germination temperature
- 15–18°C
- Sow indoors
- —
- Transplant out
- —
- First harvest
- —
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Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 15 cm |
| Row spacing | 25 cm |
| Sow depth | 0.5 cm |
| Mature height | 30 cm |
| Mature spread | 25 cm |
Classic spring bedding plant. Self-seeds prolifically — allow some plants to set seed for natural drifts. Shade tolerant; ideal for underplanting tulips and spring bulbs.
Pests & Diseases
Pest Aphids
Identification: Clusters of small green insects on shoot tips and flower buds, causing distorted growth and sticky honeydew
- Blast off with a strong jet of water
- Spray with fatty acid-based insecticide
- Encourage ladybirds, lacewings and hoverflies
- Spray with a contact insecticide containing deltamethrin or lambda-cyhalothrin
Pest Slugs and Snails
Identification: Irregular holes in young leaves and slime trails around plants, worst in wet weather
- Use beer traps or copper tape barriers
- Apply organic slug pellets (ferric phosphate)
- Encourage natural predators such as hedgehogs and ground beetles
- Ferric phosphate-based pellets
Disease Powdery Mildew
Symptoms: White powdery coating on leaves and stems, causing yellowing and collapse — very common after peak flowering
Treatment: Pull up and compost affected plants once flowering is over. Do not leave deteriorating plants in place
Prevention: Remove plants promptly after flowering, ensure good spacing, and avoid overhead watering
Disease Downy Mildew
Symptoms: Yellow patches on upper leaf surfaces with grey-purple fuzzy growth on the undersides
Treatment: Remove and dispose of affected leaves. Improve air circulation around plants
Prevention: Avoid overhead watering, space plants well, and do not overcrowd
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 5°C |
| Germination temperature | 15–18°C |
| Base growth temperature | 4°C |
| Min. daylength to start | 9h |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | day neutral |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Forget-me-not?
- Plant Forget-me-not 15cm apart with 25cm between rows.
- When does Forget-me-not flower?
- Forget-me-not typically flowers approximately 50 days after transplanting.
- Is Forget-me-not frost hardy?
- Forget-me-not is classified as Hardy.
