Stickseed Plant Care
Hackelia brevicula (Jeps.) J.L.Gentry
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Hackelia brevicula is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common name Poison Canyon stickseed.
Every 7–10 days
Partial shade to full sun
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Stickseed?
Water Stickseed every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial shade to full sun. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Stickseed?
Stickseed (Hackelia brevicula) belongs to the Boraginaceae family within the Hackelia genus.
Stickseed displays an upright, branching perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Stickseed produces small, delicate blue or white flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Stickseed?
Hackelia brevicula requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Stickseed Need?
Stickseed thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Stickseed Prefer?
Hackelia brevicula grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Stickseed prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Stickseed?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Stickseed to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Stickseed?
Feed Stickseed 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 Stickseed?
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 Stickseed?
Stickseed can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to stickseed plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Stickseed Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Stickseed, 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 Stickseed?
Stickseed is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. 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 Stickseed Need?
Stickseed grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Stickseed as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Stickseed 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 Hackelia genus — compare its care with other Hackelia species on PlantoScan.
Hackelia is part of the Boraginaceae plant family — browse all Boraginaceae genera and species.
Stickseed thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Hackelia Species
Other Hackelia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Hackelia brevicula (Jeps.) J.L.Gentry, family Boraginaceae (first published in S. W. Naturalist 19: 140 (1974)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Stickseed, 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
Stickseed 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