Bristly Bugloss Plant Care
Anchusa strigosa [Soland.]
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Anchusa strigosa is a non-succulent species of herbaceous plants in the Boraginaceae family endemic to the Eastern Mediterranean regions, particularly Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, and Iran. It is known widely by its common names of strigose bugloss and prickly alkanet.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Bristly Bugloss?
Water Bristly 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 Bristly Bugloss Native To?
What Is the Bristly Bugloss?
Bristly Bugloss (Anchusa strigosa) belongs to the Boraginaceae family within the Anchusa genus. Bristly Bugloss is native to the Eastern Mediterranean regions, particularly Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, and Iran.
Bristly Bugloss displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Bristly Bugloss produces tubular flowers in shades of blue, pink, or purple.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Bristly Bugloss?
Anchusa strigosa 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 Bristly Bugloss Need?
Bristly Bugloss thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Bristly Bugloss Prefer?
Anchusa strigosa grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Bristly Bugloss prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Bristly Bugloss?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Bristly Bugloss to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Bristly Bugloss?
Feed Bristly 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 Bristly 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 Bristly Bugloss?
Bristly 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 Bristly Bugloss Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Bristly 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 Bristly Bugloss?
Bristly 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 Bristly Bugloss Need?
Bristly Bugloss grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Bristly Bugloss is native to the Eastern Mediterranean regions, particularly Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, and Iran. In cooler regions, grow Bristly Bugloss as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Bristly 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.
Bristly 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 strigosa [Soland.], family Boraginaceae (first published in Nat. Hist. Aleppo , ed. 2, 2: 246 (1794)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Bristly 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.
- 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.
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