Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum Plant Care
Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum (Cockerell) Cockerell
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Mertensia lanceolata, known as prairie bluebells, lance-leaved bluebells, lance-leaved lungwort, and narrow-leaved languid ladies is a species of flowering plant native to the Rocky Mountains and areas of the northern Great Plains in western North America. A herbaceous perennial it has blue-green leaves alternately arranged on its smooth flowering stalk.
Every 3–5 days
Partial shade to full shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum?
Water Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial shade to full shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum Native To?
What Is the Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum?
Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum (Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum) belongs to the Boraginaceae family within the Mertensia genus. Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum is native to the Rocky Mountains and areas of the northern Great Plains in western North America.
Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum displays a clumping herbaceous perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum produces tubular, bell-shaped flowers in shades of blue and pink.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum?
Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum requires watering every 3–5 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 3–5 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum Need?
Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum thrives in partial shade to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full shade
100–500 lux
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum Prefer?
Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum?
Moist, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum?
Feed Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum 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 Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum?
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 Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum?
Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to arizona bluebells plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum, 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 Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum?
Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, slugs. 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 Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum Need?
Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum is native to the Rocky Mountains and areas of the northern Great Plains in western North America. In cooler regions, grow Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum 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 Mertensia genus — compare its care with other Mertensia species on PlantoScan.
Mertensia is part of the Boraginaceae plant family — browse all Boraginaceae genera and species.
Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
More Mertensia Species
Other Mertensia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum (Cockerell) Cockerell, family Boraginaceae (first published in Torreya 18: 180 (1918)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum, 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
Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum 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