Tree Lungwort Plant Care
Mertensia paniculata (Aiton) G.Don
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Mertensia paniculata, also known as the tall lungwort, tall bluebells, or northern bluebells, is an herb or dwarf shrub with drooping, bright-blue, bell-shaped flowers. It is native to northwestern North America and the Great Lakes.
Every 3–5 days
Partial shade to full shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Tree Lungwort?
Water Tree Lungwort 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 Tree Lungwort Native To?
What Is the Tree Lungwort?
Tree Lungwort (Mertensia paniculata) belongs to the Boraginaceae family within the Mertensia genus. Tree Lungwort is native to northwestern North America and the Great Lakes. Tree Lungwort is also known as Tall Lungwort, Mountain Bluebells, Bluebells.
Tree Lungwort displays a clumping herbaceous perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Tree Lungwort produces tubular, bell-shaped flowers in shades of blue and pink.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Tree Lungwort?
Mertensia paniculata 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 Tree Lungwort Need?
Tree Lungwort thrives in partial shade to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Tree Lungwort 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 Tree Lungwort Prefer?
Mertensia paniculata grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Tree Lungwort prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Tree Lungwort?
Moist, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Tree Lungwort to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Tree Lungwort?
Feed Tree Lungwort 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 Tree Lungwort?
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 Tree Lungwort?
Tree Lungwort can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to arizona bluebells plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Tree Lungwort Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Tree Lungwort, 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 Tree Lungwort?
Tree Lungwort 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 Tree Lungwort Need?
Tree Lungwort grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Tree Lungwort is native to northwestern North America and the Great Lakes. In cooler regions, grow Tree Lungwort as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Tree Lungwort 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.
Tree Lungwort 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 paniculata (Aiton) G.Don, family Boraginaceae (first published in Gen. Hist. 4(1): 318. 1837) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Tree Lungwort, 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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