Virginia Stickseed Plant Care
Hackelia virginiana (L.) I.M.Johnst.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Hackelia virginiana, a biennial plant, is commonly known as beggar's lice, sticktight or stickseed. However, the common names beggar's lice and stick-tight are also used for very different plants, such as Desmodium species that are also known as "tick-trefoil".
Every 7–10 days
Partial shade to full sun
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Virginia Stickseed?
Water Virginia 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 Virginia Stickseed?
Virginia Stickseed (Hackelia virginiana) belongs to the Boraginaceae family within the Hackelia genus. Virginia Stickseed is also known as Stickseed.
Virginia Stickseed displays an upright, branching perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Virginia Stickseed produces small, delicate blue or white flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Virginia Stickseed?
Hackelia virginiana 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 Virginia Stickseed Need?
Virginia Stickseed thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Virginia Stickseed Prefer?
Hackelia virginiana grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Virginia Stickseed prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Virginia Stickseed?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Virginia Stickseed to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Virginia Stickseed?
Feed Virginia 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 Virginia 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 Virginia Stickseed?
Virginia Stickseed can be propagated through seeds, division.
Is the Virginia Stickseed Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Virginia 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 Virginia Stickseed?
Virginia 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 Virginia Stickseed Need?
Virginia Stickseed grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Virginia Stickseed as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Virginia 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.
Virginia Stickseed thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Hackelia virginiana (L.) I.M.Johnst., family Boraginaceae (first published in Contr. Gray Herb. 68: 45 (1923)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Virginia 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.
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