Common Houndstongue Plant Care

Common Houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale) belongs to the Boraginaceae family within the Cynoglossum genus. Common Houndstongue is also known as Houndstongue, Gypsy Flower, Houndstooth.

Common Houndstongue displays a low spreading groundcover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Common Houndstongue produces small clusters of tiny blue or white flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Common Houndstongue 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.

Common Houndstongue thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Cynoglossum officinale tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Common Houndstongue prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Common Houndstongue to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Common Houndstongue 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.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

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.

Common Houndstongue 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.

Common Houndstongue can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 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.

Prune Common Houndstongue 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.

Common Houndstongue 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.

Common Houndstongue can be propagated through seeds, division of root clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to chinese forget me not plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Common Houndstongue is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, powdery mildew. 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.

Common Houndstongue grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Common Houndstongue as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.