Chatham Island Forget-me-not Plant Care
Myosotidium hortensium (Decne.) Baill.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Every 7–14 days
Partial shade to full sun
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Chatham Island Forget-me-not?
Plant Chatham Island Forget-me-not in partial shade to full sun (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Chatham Island Forget-me-not?
Chatham Island Forget-me-not (Myosotidium hortensium) belongs to the Boraginaceae family within the Myosotidium genus. Chatham Island Forget-me-not is also known as Giant Forget-me-not.
Chatham Island Forget-me-not displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Chatham Island Forget-me-not produces small, blue forget-me-not-like flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Chatham Island Forget-me-not?
Water a young or newly planted Chatham Island Forget-me-not every 7–14 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 7–14 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Chatham Island Forget-me-not Need?
Chatham Island Forget-me-not thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Chatham Island Forget-me-not Prefer?
Myosotidium hortensium tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Chatham Island Forget-me-not prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Chatham Island Forget-me-not?
Well-draining, sandy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Chatham Island Forget-me-not to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Chatham Island Forget-me-not?
Feed Chatham Island 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 Chatham Island Forget-me-not?
Choose a spot with partial shade to full sun and well-draining, sandy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Chatham Island 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 Chatham Island Forget-me-not?
Chatham Island 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 Chatham Island Forget-me-not?
Prune Chatham Island 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 Chatham Island Forget-me-not in Winter?
Chatham Island 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 Chatham Island Forget-me-not?
Chatham Island Forget-me-not can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to chatham island forget-me-not plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Chatham Island Forget-me-not Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Chatham Island 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 Chatham Island Forget-me-not?
Chatham Island 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 Chatham Island Forget-me-not Need?
Chatham Island Forget-me-not grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Chatham Island Forget-me-not as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Chatham Island 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 Myosotidium genus — compare its care with other Myosotidium species on PlantoScan.
Myosotidium is part of the Boraginaceae plant family — browse all Boraginaceae genera and species.
Chatham Island Forget-me-not thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Myosotidium hortensium (Decne.) Baill., family Boraginaceae (first published in Hist. Pl. 10: 333 (1890)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Chatham Island 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.
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