Tower of Jewels Plant Care
Echium nervosum Dryand.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Echium nervosum is a species of flowering plants of the family Boraginaceae. It is endemic to Madeira.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Tower of Jewels?
Water Tower of Jewels 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 Tower of Jewels Native To?
What Is the Tower of Jewels?
Tower of Jewels (Echium nervosum) belongs to the Boraginaceae family within the Echium genus. Tower of Jewels is native to Madeira. Tower of Jewels is also known as Canary Island Viper's Bugloss.
Tower of Jewels displays a tall, spiky perennial growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Tower of Jewels produces tall spikes of small blue, pink, or purple flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Tower of Jewels?
Echium nervosum 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 Tower of Jewels Need?
Tower of Jewels thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Tower of Jewels Prefer?
Echium nervosum grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Tower of Jewels prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Tower of Jewels?
Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Tower of Jewels to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Tower of Jewels?
Feed Tower of Jewels 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 Tower of Jewels?
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 Tower of Jewels?
Tower of Jewels 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 Tower of Jewels Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Tower of Jewels, 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 Tower of Jewels?
Tower of Jewels 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 Tower of Jewels Need?
Tower of Jewels grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Tower of Jewels is native to Madeira. In cooler regions, grow Tower of Jewels as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Tower of Jewels 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.
Tower of Jewels 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 nervosum Dryand., family Boraginaceae (first published in Hortus Kew. 1: 800 1810) — World Flora Online record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Tower of Jewels, 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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