How to Plant and Grow Forget-Me-Not Flowers

Forget-me-nots are a colorful and sweet addition to any garden or landscape, symbolizing love, devotion, and respect. The most common species, Myosotis sylvatica, is known for its sky-blue flowers, but the flowers can also be found in light purples, pinks, and whites.

Depending on the species, forget-me-nots can be annuals, biennials, or short-lived perennials, Chad Massura, co-founder of Rosy Soil, says. Find out everything you need to know about how to plant, grow, and care for forget-me-nots below.

What Does the Forget-Me-Not Flower Symbolize?

In Greek, the word "Myosotis" means mouse ear, which is how the forget-me-not plant got its name—its flowers are small and rounded like little mouse ears. The forget-me-not flower symbolizes true love, devotion, and respect, which makes it a popular choice for bridal bouquets.

Forget-Me-Not Care Tips

Forget-me-nots are relatively low maintenance to grow, needing just two things to thrive: lots of shade and moist, well-drained soil. They're also known for their self-seeding ability, meaning they can quickly spread to other areas of the garden if not managed. Follow the guidelines below for the best results.

Light

Forget-me-nots can thrive in both partial to full sunlight. However, they prefer a location with dappled sunlight, especially in warmer climates, to prevent excessive heat stress, Massura says.

The proper light conditions for forget-me-nots will also depend on your location, Keegan Nesvacil, CEO and co-founder of Woodland Tools Co., says. "In the north of the United States, they will do well in both full sunlight and partial shade," he explains. "If you live in a southern climate, it is best to plant them in a location where they receive full morning sunlight, but then also get some afternoon shade."

Soil and Water

Forget-me-nots do best in moist, well-draining soil. "A rich, humus soil with good fertility is ideal," Massura says. "A slightly acidic to neutral pH is suitable for their growth. Using a biochar-based soil, like Rosy Soil, can enhance soil health, improve water retention, and provide a nutrient-rich environment."

"The first thing to note with forget-me-nots is that the soil should always be moist," Nesvacil says. "To check this, you can insert your finger about an inch deep in the soil. If it's dry, you know it's time to water. In addition, you can look for visual cues [from your plant], such as wilting or droopy leaves—but it's best to not wait until they reach this point because it will limit their ability to thrive."

Temperature and Humidity

Forget-me-nots prefer cooler temperatures, ranging from 50 F to 70 F, and moderate humidity, Massura says.

According to Keegan, temperatures shouldn't reach higher than 75-80 degrees in order for your forget-me-nots to thrive. "If your climate is warmer than that, it is critical that they get some afternoon shade," he explains. And, for humidity, he adds, "While they will survive in high humidity climates, they are more prone to diseases which will prohibit them from thriving."

Fertilizer

According to Keegan, forget-me-nots don't require heavy fertilization, but they can benefit from a general-purpose fertilization once a year. "This is especially important if you live in an area with poor soil health," he explains.

Massura recommends applying a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer in early spring. "Follow the recommended dosage on the fertilizer packaging, and avoid over-fertilizing to prevent excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowers," he says.

Potting and Repotting

If you're growing forget-me-nots in containers, they can be repotted every two to three years, or when you notice the plant outgrowing its current container. "It's advisable to choose a slightly larger pot to accommodate healthy root growth," Massura advises. "Consider repotting during periods of lower stress for the plant, such as in early spring or fall, and avoid disturbing the plant during its flowering phase."

Pests and Problems

Forget-me-nots are generally pretty pest and problem-resistant, making them a good choice for most gardens. However, there are a few exceptions.

Pests

Forget-me-nots, a naturally resilient plant, don't have many foes when it comes to garden pests. The main pests that cause problems for forget-me-nots are:

Aphids: These small green bugs suck the sap out of the plants, leaving them lacking nutrients. Large numbers of aphids can completely destroy a plant, and they multiply quickly, so getting them under control quickly is essential.

Flea beetles: Flea beetles are small, shiny-coated bugs with large rear legs. They can jump (like fleas) when they feel threatened. They're tiny, so they can be hard to see, but they chew holes in plant leaves and stunt their growth.

Snails and slugs: Contrary to popular belief, snails and slugs aren't insects but mollusks. While some are harmless to your garden, others will feed on your seedlings. A sign that you have these pests is ragged holes in your leaves or stems and the slimy trails they are known to leave behind.

Self-Seeding

It's also important to note that the self-seeding ability of forget-me-nots can be an issue if not well-maintained. The plant can spread aggressively and displace native plants. To keep them from spreading to other areas of your garden or landscaping, be sure to deadhead blossoms to prevent them from dropping too many seeds.

Powdery Mildew

Though it can be widespread, powdery mildew is not usually fatal to plants—though it can temporarily blemish their appearance. It resembles white, grayish, talcum-powder-like growth patches and can be widespread in warm, dry climates. To avoid your plants falling prey to this growth, avoid overhead watering.

Rust

Rust, a fungal infection, has the potential to impact plants. It gets its name from its rust-like reddish-brown color. Fortunately, rust generally does not severely impact the health of plants, though it does affect their appearance. Rust thrives in humidity, so preventing overly moist conditions can help prevent it.

Types of Forget-Me-Nots

In the genus Myosotis, there are several varieties of plants. Here are a few of the more well-known types of myosotis sylvatica, as well as their distinctive features:

• Blue basket: As their name suggests, blue baskets have blue blooms with unique yellow flower buds and are a taller variety at up to 12 inches
• Music: The music forget-me-not plant has larger flowers, and the blooms are a deeper blue
• Pompadour: Pompadour forget-me-nots are known for their larger, rose-pink blooms and ball-shaped growth pattern
• Snowball: Snowball forget-me-nots grow white flowers with five petals and yellow centers
• Ultramarine: Ultramarine forget-me-nots have a distinctive, deep-blue hue and are smaller in size than other Myosotis varieties
• Victoria blue: This variety of forget-me-not has baby-blue blooms and is compact in its growth, staying in a six to eight-inch mound
• Victoria rose: Victoria rose forget-me-nots are another smaller variety that blooms pink flowers with a golden center
• Victoria white: Like their other Victoria cousins, the white variety is small and grows white flowers with a yellow center