Mottled Forget-me-not Plant Care
Myosotis discolor Pers.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Myosotis discolor is a species of forget-me-not known by the common name changing forget-me-not. It is native to Europe, and it can also be found throughout eastern and western North America, where it is an introduced species.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Mottled Forget-me-not?
Plant Mottled Forget-me-not in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 3–5 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Mottled Forget-me-not Native To?
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- United States
What Is the Mottled Forget-me-not?
Mottled Forget-me-not (Myosotis discolor) belongs to the Boraginaceae family within the Myosotis genus. Mottled Forget-me-not is native to Europe, and it can also be found throughout eastern and western North America. Mottled Forget-me-not is also known as Two-colored Forget-me-not.
Mottled Forget-me-not displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Mottled Forget-me-not produces small, delicate blue flowers with yellow centers.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Mottled Forget-me-not?
Water a young or newly planted Mottled Forget-me-not 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.
Watering Frequency
Every 3–5 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Mottled Forget-me-not Need?
Mottled Forget-me-not thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Mottled Forget-me-not Prefer?
Myosotis discolor tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Mottled Forget-me-not prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Mottled Forget-me-not?
Well-draining, fertile soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Mottled Forget-me-not to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Mottled Forget-me-not?
Feed Mottled Forget-me-not 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.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Mottled Forget-me-not?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, fertile soil with good organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Mottled Forget-me-not is suited to USDA Zone 12a.
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.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Mottled Forget-me-not?
Mottled Forget-me-not 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.
How Do You Prune a Mottled Forget-me-not?
Prune Mottled Forget-me-not 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.
How Do You Care for a Mottled Forget-me-not in Winter?
Mottled Forget-me-not is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.
How Do You Propagate a Mottled Forget-me-not?
Mottled Forget-me-not can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to mountain forget-me-not plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Mottled Forget-me-not Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Mottled Forget-me-not, 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 Mottled Forget-me-not?
Mottled Forget-me-not is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. 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 Mottled Forget-me-not Need?
Mottled Forget-me-not grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Mottled Forget-me-not is native to Europe, and it can also be found throughout eastern and western North America. In cooler regions, grow Mottled Forget-me-not as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Mottled Forget-me-not 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 Myosotis genus — compare its care with other Myosotis species on PlantoScan.
Myosotis is part of the Boraginaceae plant family — browse all Boraginaceae genera and species.
Mottled Forget-me-not thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Myosotis Species
Other Myosotis species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Myosotis discolor Pers., family Boraginaceae (first published in Syst. Veg. ed. 15 : 190 (1798)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Mottled Forget-me-not, 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.
