Blue-eyed Mary Plant Care

Blue-eyed Mary (Omphalodes verna) belongs to the Boraginaceae family within the Omphalodes genus. Blue-eyed Mary is also known as Vernal Navelwort, Creeping Navelwort.

Blue-eyed Mary displays a low rosette, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Blue-eyed Mary produces small, delicate blue flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Blue-eyed Mary 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.

Blue-eyed Mary thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 50–200 lux. Avoid placing Blue-eyed Mary in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Omphalodes verna tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Blue-eyed Mary prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Moist, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Blue-eyed Mary to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Blue-eyed Mary 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 partial to full shade and moist, well-draining soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Blue-eyed Mary 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.

Blue-eyed Mary 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 Blue-eyed Mary 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.

Blue-eyed Mary 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.

Blue-eyed Mary can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to cappadocian navelwort plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Blue-eyed Mary 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.

Blue-eyed Mary grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Blue-eyed Mary as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.