Photo: Viktoriia StreltsovaCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Common Bugloss Plant Care
Anchusa officinalis L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Anchusa officinalis is known for its vibrant blue flowers arranged in clusters atop tall, hairy stems. Originating from Europe and western Asia, this plant is highly sought after by collectors for its eye-catching blooms and ability to attract pollinators to the garden.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Common Bugloss?
Water Common Bugloss every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Common Bugloss Native To?
- Albania
- Armenia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Oman
- Palestine
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syria
- The Netherlands
- Türkiye
- UAE
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Yemen
What Is the Common Bugloss?
Common Bugloss (Anchusa officinalis) belongs to the Boraginaceae family within the Anchusa genus. Common Bugloss is native to Europe and small parts of western Asia. Common Bugloss is also known as Orphan Ann, Alkanet, Everlasting Flower.
Common Bugloss displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Common Bugloss produces tubular flowers in shades of blue, pink, or purple.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Common Bugloss?
Anchusa officinalis requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Common Bugloss Need?
Common Bugloss thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Common Bugloss Prefer?
Anchusa officinalis grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Common Bugloss prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Common Bugloss?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Common Bugloss to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Common Bugloss?
Feed Common Bugloss every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Common Bugloss?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Common Bugloss?
Common Bugloss can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball. Similar propagation techniques also apply to italian bugloss plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Common Bugloss Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Common Bugloss, 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 Common Bugloss?
Common Bugloss is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, snails. 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 Common Bugloss Need?
Common Bugloss grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Common Bugloss is native to Europe and small parts of western Asia.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 3a – 8b
Keep exploring plants
Common Bugloss 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 Anchusa genus — compare its care with other Anchusa species on PlantoScan.
Anchusa is part of the Boraginaceae plant family — browse all Boraginaceae genera and species.
Common Bugloss 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: Anchusa officinalis L., family Boraginaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 133 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Common Bugloss, 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.
- Photo: Viktoriia Streltsova, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 3a – 8b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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.
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