Photo: Ульяна ЛалакCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Delphinium Plant Care
Delphinium elatum L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Delphinium elatum is a species of flowering plant in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae, known by the common names alpine delphinium, bee larkspur, or candle larkspur. It is native to temperate Asia and Europe, it is an erect herbaceous perennial growing to 1.8 m (5.9 ft), with deeply divided leaves.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Delphinium?
Water Delphinium 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 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats and dogs, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Delphinium Native To?
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
What Is the Delphinium?
Delphinium (Delphinium elatum) belongs to the Ranunculaceae family within the Delphinium genus. Delphinium is native to temperate Asia and Europe. Delphinium is also known as Candle Larkspur, Bee Larkspur, Tall Larkspur.
Delphinium displays a tall spikes, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Delphinium produces colorful, showy spikes of blue, purple, pink, or white flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Delphinium?
Delphinium elatum 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 Delphinium Need?
Delphinium thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Delphinium Prefer?
Delphinium elatum grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Delphinium prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Delphinium?
Rich, well-draining soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Delphinium to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Delphinium?
Feed Delphinium 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 Delphinium?
Divide and replant every 3-4 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 Delphinium?
Delphinium can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps.
Is the Delphinium Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic to cats and dogs
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center plant list, which covers Delphinium species (which includes Delphinium). View the ASPCA entry
Toxic if ingested, may cause skin irritation
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 Delphinium?
Delphinium is susceptible to aphids, slugs, 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 Delphinium Need?
Delphinium grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Delphinium is native to temperate Asia and Europe. In cooler regions, grow Delphinium as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Delphinium 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 Delphinium genus — compare its care with other Delphinium species on PlantoScan.
Delphinium is part of the Ranunculaceae plant family — browse all Ranunculaceae genera and species.
Delphinium 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: Delphinium elatum L., family Ranunculaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 531 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: The ASPCA lists Delphinium species (which includes Delphinium) as toxic to cats and dogs. Source: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.
- Photo: Ульяна Лалак, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- 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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