Photo: no rights reservedCC0 1.0via iNaturalist
Short-branched Viper's-bugloss Plant Care
Echium brevirame Sprague & Hutch.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's elongated, lance-shaped leaves are its most distinctive visual feature, originating from the Canary Islands. Plant collectors are drawn to Echium brevirame for its striking blue and pink flower spikes, which can reach up to 8 feet in height.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Short-branched Viper's-bugloss?
Water Short-branched 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 Short-branched Viper's-bugloss Native To?
What Is the Short-branched Viper's-bugloss?
Short-branched Viper's-bugloss (Echium brevirame) belongs to the Boraginaceae family within the Echium genus. Short-branched Viper's-bugloss is native to the Canary Islands.
Short-branched Viper's-bugloss displays a tall, spiky perennial growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Short-branched Viper's-bugloss produces tall spikes of small blue, pink, or purple flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Short-branched Viper's-bugloss?
Echium brevirame 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 Short-branched Viper's-bugloss Need?
Short-branched Viper's-bugloss thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Short-branched Viper's-bugloss Prefer?
Echium brevirame grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Short-branched Viper's-bugloss prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Short-branched Viper's-bugloss?
Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Short-branched Viper's-bugloss to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Short-branched Viper's-bugloss?
Feed Short-branched 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 Short-branched 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 Short-branched Viper's-bugloss?
Short-branched 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 Short-branched Viper's-bugloss Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Short-branched 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 Short-branched Viper's-bugloss?
Short-branched 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 Short-branched Viper's-bugloss Need?
Short-branched Viper's-bugloss grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9b. Short-branched Viper's-bugloss is native to the Canary Islands. In cooler regions, grow Short-branched Viper's-bugloss as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 9b – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Short-branched 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.
Short-branched 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 brevirame Sprague & Hutch., family Boraginaceae (first published in Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1914: 121 (1914)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Short-branched 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.
- Photo: Public domain, CC0 1.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 9b – 11b, 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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