Amana Alkanet Plant Care
Alkanna amana Rech.f.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
The Alkanna amana is characterized by its vibrant purple flowers that contrast beautifully against its silver-green leaves. This Mediterranean native plant is loved by enthusiasts for its ability to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies due to its nectar-rich blooms.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Amana Alkanet?
Plant Amana Alkanet in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Amana Alkanet?
Amana Alkanet (Alkanna amana) belongs to the Boraginaceae family within the Alkanna genus. Amana Alkanet is native to Mediterranean region. Amana Alkanet is also known as Amman Alkanet.
Amana Alkanet displays a low rosette, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Amana Alkanet produces small blue or purple tubular flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Amana Alkanet?
Water a young or newly planted Amana Alkanet every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Amana Alkanet Need?
Amana Alkanet thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Amana Alkanet Prefer?
Alkanna amana tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Amana Alkanet prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Amana Alkanet?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Amana Alkanet to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Amana Alkanet?
Feed Amana Alkanet every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.
Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Amana Alkanet?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Amana Alkanet is suited to USDA Zone 12a.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Amana Alkanet?
Amana Alkanet can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.
Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Amana Alkanet?
Prune Amana Alkanet while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.
If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.
How Do You Care for a Amana Alkanet in Winter?
Amana Alkanet is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.
How Do You Propagate a Amana Alkanet?
Amana Alkanet can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball. Similar propagation techniques also apply to dyer's bugloss plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Amana Alkanet Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Amana Alkanet, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Amana Alkanet?
Amana Alkanet is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Amana Alkanet Need?
Amana Alkanet grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Amana Alkanet is native to Mediterranean region. In cooler regions, grow Amana Alkanet as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Amana Alkanet is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Alkanna genus — compare its care with other Alkanna species on PlantoScan.
Alkanna is part of the Boraginaceae plant family — browse all Boraginaceae genera and species.
Amana Alkanet thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Alkanna amana Rech.f., family Boraginaceae (first published in Ann. Naturhist. Mus. Wien 58: 56 (1951)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Amana Alkanet, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
