Italian Viper's Bugloss Plant Care
Echium italicum L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Echium italicum, the Italian viper's bugloss, Lady Campbell weed, or pale bugloss, is a species of plant from the family Boraginaceae, found in the Mediterranean Basin and, as an introduced species in the United States.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Italian Viper's Bugloss?
Water Italian 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 Italian Viper's Bugloss Native To?
What Is the Italian Viper's Bugloss?
Italian Viper's Bugloss (Echium italicum) belongs to the Boraginaceae family within the Echium genus. Italian Viper's Bugloss is native to the Mediterranean Basin and, as an introduced species in the United States. Italian Viper's Bugloss is also known as Tower of Jewels.
Italian Viper's Bugloss displays a tall, spiky perennial growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Italian Viper's Bugloss produces tall spikes of small blue, pink, or purple flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Italian Viper's Bugloss?
Echium italicum 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 Italian Viper's Bugloss Need?
Italian Viper's Bugloss thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Italian Viper's Bugloss Prefer?
Echium italicum grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Italian Viper's Bugloss prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Italian Viper's Bugloss?
Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Italian Viper's Bugloss to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Italian Viper's Bugloss?
Feed Italian 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 Italian 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 Italian Viper's Bugloss?
Italian 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 Italian Viper's Bugloss Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Italian 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 Italian Viper's Bugloss?
Italian 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 Italian Viper's Bugloss Need?
Italian Viper's Bugloss grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Italian Viper's Bugloss is native to the Mediterranean Basin and, as an introduced species in the United States. In cooler regions, grow Italian Viper's Bugloss as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Italian 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.
Italian 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 italicum L., family Boraginaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 139 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Italian 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.
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