Blue Curls Plant Care

Blue Curls (Ichtyoselmis macrantha) belongs to the Papaveraceae family within the Ichtyoselmis genus. Blue Curls is native to woodland and glades at elevations of 1,500–2,700 metres (4,900–8,900 ft) in northern Burma and southern China. Blue Curls is also known as Giant Blue Curls.

Blue Curls displays a low rosette, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Blue Curls produces delicate, cup-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Blue Curls every 3–5 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Blue Curls thrives in partial shade to dappled sunlight. Avoid placing Blue Curls in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Ichtyoselmis macrantha tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Blue Curls prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Rich, well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Blue Curls to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Blue Curls every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with partial shade to dappled sunlight and rich, well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Blue Curls is suited to USDA Zone 6a – 8b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Blue Curls can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Blue Curls while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Blue Curls is hardy down to USDA zone 6a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Blue Curls can be propagated through division, seeds.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Blue Curls is susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails. 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.

Blue Curls grows outdoors in USDA Zone 6a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 6a. Blue Curls is native to woodland and glades at elevations of 1,500–2,700 metres (4,900–8,900 ft) in northern Burma and southern China.