Common Gromwell Plant Care
Lithospermum officinale L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Lithospermum officinale, or common gromwell or European stoneseed, is a flowering plant species in the family Boraginaceae, native to Eurasia. It is the host plant for caterpillars of the monophagous moth Ethmia dodecea.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Common Gromwell?
Common Gromwell grows best in full sun to partial shade.
What Is the Common Gromwell?
Common Gromwell (Lithospermum officinale) belongs to the Boraginaceae family within the Lithospermum genus. Common Gromwell is native to Eurasia. Common Gromwell is also known as Gromwell, Medicinal Gromwell, Bastard Alkanet.
Common Gromwell displays a low rosette, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Common Gromwell produces small, tubular yellow flowers in clusters.
What Light Does the Common Gromwell Need?
Common Gromwell thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Common Gromwell?
Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter like compost. Good drainage is essential for Common Gromwell to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Common Gromwell?
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 Common Gromwell?
Common Gromwell can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to bolivian puccoon plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Common Gromwell Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Common Gromwell, 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 Common Gromwell?
Common Gromwell is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, leaf miners. 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.
Keep exploring plants
Common Gromwell 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 Lithospermum genus — compare its care with other Lithospermum species on PlantoScan.
Lithospermum is part of the Boraginaceae plant family — browse all Boraginaceae genera and species.
Common Gromwell thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Lithospermum Species
Other Lithospermum species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Lithospermum officinale L., family Boraginaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 132 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Common Gromwell, 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.
- 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
Common Gromwell 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