How to Grow and Care for Chinese Forget-Me-Not (Cynoglossum Amabile)

Chinese forget-me-not (Cynoglossum amabile) is a flowering plant that's typically grown as a hardy annual or biennial for its attractive sprays of tiny blue, pink, or white blooms. This plant is a favorite of flower farmers and gardeners because it blooms the year it is planted, unlike woodland forget-me-nots (Myosotis sylvatica). Its stems, which can reach up to 2 feet tall, are ideal for cutting gardens and floral arrangements. Chinese forget-me-not grows best when planted a few weeks before the last frost date for your region in a spot with full to part sun and moderate watering. This plant is toxic to people and horses.

Chinese Forget-Me-Not Care

• Put Chinese forget-me-not where it will receive full or part sun.
• Plant seeds in rich, well-drained sandy loam soil.
• Water to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy.
• Fertilize by working organic compost into the soil before planting.

Light

Chinese forget-me-not grows best in full sun (at least six hours of sunlight per day), but it can tolerate part shade as long as plants receive two to six hours of sunlight per day. In warmer regions, plant Chinese forget-me-not in a spot that gets afternoon shade to protect it from summer heat.

Soil

This plant prefers loamy, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter to hold moisture and add nutrients. Chinese forget-me-not doesn't do well in heavy clay soils, but it can tolerate fair to poor-quality soil.

Water

Water Chinese forget-me-not often enough to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Overwatering can cause fungal issues for this plant. Be sure to water seedlings well after germination.

Temperature and Humidity

Chinese forget-me-not is considered a cool-weather annual that can be seeded before the last frost in spring, but mature plants are not cold-hardy and will die back with the first frost in fall. Hot, humid summer weather can affect Chinese forget-me-not's ability to bloom through fall.

Fertilizer

This plant doesn't require regular feeding throughout the season. Fertilize the soil by working in organic compost to the planting bed before sowing seeds in early spring.

Types of Chinese Forget-Me-Not

• 'Blue Showers': This cultivar features clouds of small, bright blue blooms and tall, upright stems that are ideal for floral bouquets.
• 'Firmament': The sprays of true blue flowers on this cultivar have a slightly scalloped edge.
• 'Mystic Pink': This variety offers pale pink flowers with purple centers and stems that reach two feet tall.
• 'White': As its name indicates, this cultivar features clouds of tiny white flowers with pale yellow centers.

Pruning

Pruning isn't required for these fast-growing plants, but you may want to cut them back after flowering and collect the seed heads to prevent plants from taking over the rest of your garden bed.

Propagating Chinese Forget-Me-Not

Chinese forget-me-not is an annual or biennial that blooms in its first year and grows easily from seed, so it's typically direct-seeded rather than propagated via other methods.

How to Grow Chinese Forget-Me-Not From Seed

Chinese forget-me-not grows readily from seed and self-seeds widely. Direct sow seeds three to four weeks before the last frost in your region. In warmer regions, you may plant seeds in fall for spring germination. Cover seeds with a quarter-inch layer of soil and keep the soil evenly moist. Seeds should sprout within seven to ten days. Though it's not officially designated as invasive, Chinese forget-me-not will readily reseed itself once established.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases 

Chinese forget-me-not doesn't typically have problems with insects or plant diseases. Avoid overwatering and give plants adequate space to prevent fungal issues.

How to Get Chinese Forget-Me-Not to Bloom

Chinese forget-me-not can bloom in early summer, ten to 12 weeks after spring planting. If your plants aren't blooming by this point, it could be that the planting site receives too much shade and not enough sun. Replant seeds in a sunnier spot next season.

Bloom Months

Chinese forget-me-not typically blooms from early summer through the first frost in fall in cool and temperate climates. In very hot, sunny areas, the heat may stop blooming in high summer and fall.

How Long Does Chinese Forget-Me-Not Bloom?

If you harvest flowers regularly and don't let plants go to seed, you can expect Chinese forget-me-not to bloom for several weeks through summer and fall in temperate climates.

What Do Chinese Forget-Me-Not Flowers Look and Smell Like?

Chinese forget-me-not flowers look similar to biennial forget-me-nots. Blooms appear as sprays of tiny blue, pink, or white flowers with five petals and yellow, blue, or purple centers. They're better known for their appearance than their aroma.

How to Encourage More Blooms

Deadheading spent blooms with a clean pair of scissors or pruners will extend the growing season and keep plants from reseeding as easily. You can also harvest flowers for bouquets regularly rather than allowing them to fade to achieve the same effect.

Common Problems With Chinese Forget-Me-Not

White Spots on Leaves

Pale, powdery spots on Chinese forget-me-not's leaves can indicate powdery mildew. If only a small portion of the planting is affected, you can pull, bag, and throw those plant parts in the trash to help prevent the mildew from spreading. Keeping foliage dry by watering soil directly can help prevent powdery mildew, but it may still be an issue in very warm, humid weather.

Brown Spots on Leaves

Brown spots on the foliage of Chinese forget-me-not, especially the undersides of leaves, can indicate a fungal infection from downy mildew. Prevention is similar to powdery mildew.

Plants Wilting

If plants are drooping or wilting, lack of water may be the cause if the weather has been very hot and dry. Water plants deeply, and water every few days when it doesn't rain going forward. In extreme heat, it may be best to water daily or every other day.