How to Grow Nemophila
Nemophila menziesii
When to Start
Direct sow outdoors as soon as soil reaches 5°C — typically early to mid spring. Hardy enough to tolerate light frosts.
Don't know your frost date? Find it here →
Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Rarely needed. Thrives in average, well-drained soil — rich soil produces leggy growth with fewer flowers.
- One of the easiest cool-season annuals. Self-seeds freely in favourable conditions. Dislikes heat — flowers fade when temperatures rise above 20C. Best in mild climates or as a spring/autumn filler.
Companion Planting
—
Growing Conditions
Get a personalized schedule for Nemophila based on your exact frost dates
Start planning freeEnter your last frost date to see your dates
- Direct sow
- —
- First harvest
- —
Want your full season plan with reminders? Try Leaftide free
Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 15 cm |
| Row spacing | 25 cm |
| Sow depth | 0.3 cm |
| Mature height | 20 cm |
| Mature spread | 30 cm |
Direct sow and thin to final spacing. Nemophila has a shallow root system and resents transplanting. Closer spacing creates a carpet effect.
Care Guide
- Feeding
- Rarely needed. Thrives in average, well-drained soil — rich soil produces leggy growth with fewer flowers.
- Watch for
-
- Aphids
- Powdery mildew
- Slugs on young seedlings
Pests & Diseases
Pest Aphids
Identification: Clusters of small soft-bodied insects on shoot tips, causing distorted growth and sticky honeydew.
- Blast off with a strong jet of water
- Spray with fatty acid-based insecticide
- Encourage ladybirds and lacewings
- Spray with a contact insecticide containing deltamethrin
Pest Slugs and Snails
Identification: Irregular holes in young leaves, slime trails around plants.
- Apply organic slug pellets (ferric phosphate) around emerging seedlings
- Use beer traps or copper tape barriers
- Encourage natural predators
- Ferric phosphate-based pellets
Disease Powdery Mildew
Symptoms: White powdery coating on leaves, causing yellowing and reduced vigour late in the season.
Treatment: Remove affected leaves. Usually appears only as plants decline in warming weather.
Prevention: Space plants well for good airflow and avoid overcrowding.
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 5°C |
| Germination temperature | 12–18°C |
| Base growth temperature | 4°C |
| Min. daylength to start | 9h |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | day neutral |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Nemophila?
- Plant Nemophila 15cm apart with 25cm between rows.
- When does Nemophila flower?
- Nemophila typically flowers approximately 55 days after transplanting.
- Is Nemophila frost hardy?
- Nemophila is classified as Hardy.
Plan Nemophila in your garden — get personalized frost-date scheduling
Start planning free