Heliotropium
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- hee-lee-oh-TROH-pee-um
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Heliotrope is a genus of half-hardy perennials which are usually grown as annuals but may be grown as perennial in zones 9 and 10. It is grown both for the attractive clusters of small flowers, which can be, blue, purple, or white, and have a delicate vanilla-almond fragrance. The older varieties are more fragrant.
It is found naturally in forests or wet areas. Heliotrope can be grown outdoors in moist, well-drained soil in full sun or indoors in a well-lighted area with some protection from the afternoon sun. It may bloom in spring, summer, or fall, depending on the cultivar.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- H. amplexicaule, H. arborescens
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- H. amplexicaule, H. arborescens
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Heliotropium
- Family:
- Boraginaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tropical and temporate America, Europe
- Distribution:
- throughout North America
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Trumpet
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small, 5-parted, blue, purple, or white, on a slender, coiled, stem.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblanceolate
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Horses
- Weedy
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Medium
- Poison Symptoms:
- TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. Digestive upset and liver damage over continued use; sometimes used in herbal teas.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Pyrrolizidine alkaloids
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems
