Lyttelton forget-me-not Plant Care

Lyttelton forget-me-not (Myosotis lytteltonensis) belongs to the Boraginaceae family within the Myosotis genus. Lyttelton forget-me-not is native to the South Island of New Zealand, then raised to species status, and subsequently synonymised with Myosotis australis in 2020.

Lyttelton forget-me-not displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Lyttelton forget-me-not produces small, delicate blue flowers with yellow centers.

Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Lyttelton 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.

Lyttelton forget-me-not thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Myosotis lytteltonensis tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Lyttelton forget-me-not prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining, fertile soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Lyttelton forget-me-not to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Lyttelton 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.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

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.

Lyttelton forget-me-not is suited to USDA Zone 9a – 10b.

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.

Lyttelton 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.

Prune Lyttelton 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.

Lyttelton forget-me-not is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 9). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Lyttelton 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.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Lyttelton 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.

Lyttelton forget-me-not grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9a. Lyttelton forget-me-not is native to the South Island of New Zealand, then raised to species status, and subsequently synonymised with Myosotis australis in 2020. In cooler regions, grow Lyttelton forget-me-not as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.