Paterson's Curse Plant Care
Echium plantagineum L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Echium plantagineum, commonly known as purple viper's-bugloss, Paterson's curse or Salvation Jane, is a species of the genus Echium native to western and southern Europe, northern Africa, and southwestern Asia. It has also been introduced to Australia, South Africa, and United States, where it is an invasive weed.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Paterson's Curse?
Water Paterson's Curse 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 Paterson's Curse Native To?
What Is the Paterson's Curse?
Paterson's Curse (Echium plantagineum) belongs to the Boraginaceae family within the Echium genus. Paterson's Curse is native to western and southern Europe, northern Africa, and southwestern Asia. Paterson's Curse is also known as Salvation Jane, Purple Viper's Bugloss, Blue Weed.
Paterson's Curse displays a tall, spiky perennial growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Paterson's Curse produces tall spikes of small blue, pink, or purple flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Paterson's Curse?
Echium plantagineum 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 Paterson's Curse Need?
Paterson's Curse thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Paterson's Curse Prefer?
Echium plantagineum grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Paterson's Curse prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Paterson's Curse?
Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Paterson's Curse to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Paterson's Curse?
Feed Paterson's Curse 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 Paterson's Curse?
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 Paterson's Curse?
Paterson's Curse 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 Paterson's Curse Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Paterson's Curse, 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 Paterson's Curse?
Paterson's Curse 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 Paterson's Curse Need?
Paterson's Curse grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Paterson's Curse is native to western and southern Europe, northern Africa, and southwestern Asia. In cooler regions, grow Paterson's Curse as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Paterson's Curse 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.
Paterson's Curse 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 plantagineum L., family Boraginaceae (first published in Mant. Pl. 2: 202 (1771)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Paterson's Curse, 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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