Photo: Liadan DickieCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Chatham Island forget-me-not Plant Care
Myosotis traversii Hook.f.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With its striking large, round, hairy leaves and delicate pale blue flowers, this plant native to New Zealand is a unique addition to any collection. Plant collectors are drawn to Myosotis traversii for its rarity and unusual appearance, making it a prized find for those seeking out distinctive and eye-catching specimens.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Chatham Island forget-me-not?
Plant Chatham Island forget-me-not in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 7a–8b) 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 Chatham Island forget-me-not Native To?
What Is the Chatham Island forget-me-not?
Chatham Island forget-me-not (Myosotis traversii) belongs to the Boraginaceae family within the Myosotis genus. Chatham Island forget-me-not is native to the South Island of New Zealand. Chatham Island forget-me-not is also known as Maori name "kopakopa".
Chatham Island forget-me-not displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Chatham Island forget-me-not produces small, delicate blue flowers with yellow centers.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Chatham Island forget-me-not?
Water a young or newly planted Chatham Island 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 Chatham Island forget-me-not Need?
Chatham Island forget-me-not thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Chatham Island forget-me-not Prefer?
Myosotis traversii tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Chatham Island forget-me-not prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Chatham Island forget-me-not?
Well-draining, fertile soil with good organic content. 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 full sun to partial shade and well-draining, fertile soil with good organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Chatham Island forget-me-not is suited to USDA Zone 7a – 8b.
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 hardy down to USDA zone 7a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.
Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.
Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.
How Do You Propagate a Chatham Island forget-me-not?
Chatham Island 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 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 7a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 7a. Chatham Island forget-me-not is native to the South Island of New Zealand.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 7a – 8b
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 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.
Chatham Island 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 traversii Hook.f., family Boraginaceae (first published in Handb. N. Zeal. Fl. 1: 194 (1864)) — 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.
- Photo: Liadan Dickie, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 7a – 8b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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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