Phacelia / Scorpionweed / Heliotrope

Plant family

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Wet

Soil

Medium (loamy)

Nutrient requirement

Medium

Seeding distance

10 cm

Row spacing

15 cm

Seeding depth

2 cm

Instructions

Description

The genus Phacelia belongs to the borage family. The species grow as annual, biennial or perennial herbaceous plants. They are undemanding and tolerate drought well, but they are not hardy. Phacelia is well suited as a green manure because of its dense root system. It thus makes good use of the nutrient reserves in the soil and passes them on very easily to its successor plants as they rot. It is also popular as a beekeeping plant, but wild bees do not use this plant.

Growing tips

In extreme dry periods, some watering should be done until flowering. Phacelia are not poisonous, but some contain skin irritants that can cause an allergic reaction. If you have sensitive skin, it is recommended to wear gloves as a precaution. Phacelia can protect neighboring plants from cabbage hernia and root aphids.