Canary Island Viper's Bugloss Plant Care
Echium aculeatum Poir.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Echium aculeatum is a species of flowering plant of the family Boraginaceae. It is endemic to the Canary Islands, where it occurs on the islands El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera and Tenerife.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Canary Island Viper's Bugloss?
Water Canary Island Viper's Bugloss every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Canary Island Viper's Bugloss Native To?
What Is the Canary Island Viper's Bugloss?
Canary Island Viper's Bugloss (Echium aculeatum) belongs to the Boraginaceae family within the Echium genus. Canary Island Viper's Bugloss is native to the Canary Islands. Canary Island Viper's Bugloss is also known as Tower of Jewels.
Canary Island Viper's Bugloss displays a tall, spiky perennial growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Canary Island Viper's Bugloss produces tall spikes of small blue, pink, or purple flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Canary Island Viper's Bugloss?
Echium aculeatum requires watering every 7–14 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 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Canary Island Viper's Bugloss Need?
Canary Island Viper's Bugloss thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Canary Island Viper's Bugloss Prefer?
Echium aculeatum grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Canary Island Viper's Bugloss prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Canary Island Viper's Bugloss?
Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Canary Island Viper's Bugloss to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Canary Island Viper's Bugloss?
Feed Canary Island Viper's 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 Canary Island Viper's 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 Canary Island Viper's Bugloss?
Canary Island Viper's Bugloss can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to boissier's viper's-bugloss plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Canary Island Viper's Bugloss Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Canary Island Viper's 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 Canary Island Viper's Bugloss?
Canary Island Viper's Bugloss is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. 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 Canary Island Viper's Bugloss Need?
Canary Island Viper's Bugloss grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Canary Island Viper's Bugloss is native to the Canary Islands. In cooler regions, grow Canary Island Viper's Bugloss as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Canary Island Viper's 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 Echium genus — compare its care with other Echium species on PlantoScan.
Echium is part of the Boraginaceae plant family — browse all Boraginaceae genera and species.
Canary Island Viper's Bugloss thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Echium Species
Other Echium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Echium aculeatum Poir., family Boraginaceae (first published in Encycl. 8: 664 (1808)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Canary Island Viper's 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Canary Island Viper's Bugloss Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species