How to Grow Myosotis Plants

Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing Forget me not

Members of Myosotis plant genus can be hardy annuals, biennials and perennials. They are usually grown as annuals by gardeners.

They are woodland plants and can reach about 20 cm ( 8 inches) in height.

Myosotis
Myosotis – Forget me not by Anemoneprojectors; creative commons.

This makes them useful for rock gardens, or at the front of borders.

Myosotis flower from the beginning of spring through to summer (species dependent). The blooms are aggregated tiny flowers of blue.

Pink forget me not
Myosotis - Pink forget me not by Phoebe photo (FeeBeeDee).

A common used name for Myosotis plant is the Forget me not.

Commonly Grown Myosotis Species Photographs and Plant Identification

Myosotis sylvatica

Myosotis sylvatica
Myosotis sylvatica (Woodland Forget-me-not / Wood Forget-me-not), photograph by Joshua Mayer; CC.

Myosotis alpestris

Myosotis alpestris
Myosotis alpestris (Alpine Forget-me-not), photograph by Gunera; CC.

Myosotis scorpioides

Myosotis scorpioides
Myosotis scorpioides (True Forget-me-not / Water Forget-me-not), picture by Andreas Rockstein; CC.

Myosotis Plant Growing and Care Guide

Common Names: Forget me not.
Life Cycle: Hardy annual. Hardy perennial. Hardy biennial commonly grown as a hardy annual by gardeners.
Height: 4 to 20 inches (10 to 50 cm).
Native: Europe, Asia, North America, Australasia.
Growing Region: Zones 3 to 8.

Flowers: Early spring and /or summer.
Flower Details: Blue, pink white; centres are yellow. Flat flowers. Five lobes.
Foliage: Alternate. Lanceolate. Oblong.

Sow Outside: Cover seed. Annuals: before last frost. Perennials: before last frost or in autumn. Biennials: summer. Spacing 5 to 10 inches (12 to 20 cm).
Sow Inside: Vermiculite. Water from below. Germination time: one to four weeks in the dark. Temperature 70°F (21°C). Nine or ten weeks in advance. Transplant outdoors before the last frost or in autumn.

Requirements: Light shade. Soil pH 5.5 to 7.5. Rich soil. Moist soil. Regular watering. Propagate: dividing at the start of spring.
Family: Boraginaceae.
Miscellaneous: The genus is named Myosotis (Mouse ear in Greek) because of the similarity of its leaves to the ears of a mouse.

How to Grow Forget Me Not and other Myosotis Plants in the Garden

If growing outdoors, then sow the seeds of Forget Me Not's on the surface just before the last frost of spring.

Forget me not plants like to grow in a partially shaded area of the garden. This should idelaly have a rich moist soil and a pH of 6 to 7.

If starting off Forget me not and other Myosotis plants indoors, then start about 2 months in advance.

The seeds of forget me nots should be sown in vermiculite. It will take from one to four weeks to germinate at 18 to 20 degrees centigrade in the dark.

It is necessary to water the forget me nots from below to stop them rotting.

Once seedlings are ready, transplant into the garden and grow at a spacing of about 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 inches) apart.

Caring for forget me nots (Myosotis)

It is easy to grow forget me nots. You may like to cut them back before they have chance to drop seed, as they are liable to spread. If you require more Myosotis plants then the perennial varieties can be propagated by division at the start of spring.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Myosotis plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Onosma, Yucca plant, Patrinia plant, Kale plant, and Heliotropium plants.