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How to grow forget-me-not
- BBC Gardeners' World Magazine
Published: Monday, 28 April 2025 at 10:00 am
Find out all about growing forget-me-not, in our detailed Grow Guide.
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This article has been checked for horticultural accuracy by Oliver Parsons.
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Forget-me-not (botanical name: myosotis) is a humble but glorious spring flower which appears in frothy blue clouds at the front of borders and at the edges of paths. There are annual, biennial and short-lived perennial forget-me-nots, but the most commonly grown variety, Myosotis sylvatica, is a short-lived perennial usually grown as a biennial. It complements other spring flowers, making a great backdrop for taller tulips or wallflowers, and naturalises easily for wilder-style plantings. It can also look great in a window box or container. In the video above, David Hurrion explains how to grow forget-me-nots.
Several stories are attributed to how forget-me-nots got their name. They have been a symbol of love since the Middle Ages, and supposedly, if you wore one, you would not be forgotten by your loved one. There is also a German legend where a young knight is gathering flowers for his beloved on a river bank but falls in. As he is swept away, he throws the flowers to her and calls out, ‘Forget me not’.
How to grow forget-me-not
Forget-me-nots are easy to grow from seed and can be sown direct in May or June. The plants thrive in a sunny or partially shaded spot and will flower in their second year.
Where to grow forget-me-not
Forget-me-not growing with hosta. Jason Ingram
The best place to grow forget-me-nots is in moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. They look good planted alongside tulips or with other plants that grow well in partial shade, such as hostas. Leave them to self-seed, or sow seed in the summer for flowers the following year.
Growing forget-me-not from seed
Sow forget-me-not seeds directly outdoors in May or June, or indoors in May, June and September. If sowing under cover, sprinkle seeds and cover with compost. Use a heated propagator or a warm windowsill to create the right conditions for germination. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, prick out and pot on. Flowers will appear the following year.
How to plant forget-me-not
Forget-me-nots are commonly grown from seed, but you can also buy plug plants or garden-ready plants.
- Plug plants – pot up plug plants on arrival and grow on under cover until they are large enough to plant outside and the danger of frost is over. Harden off the young plants by placing them outside during the day for around a week, bringing them in at night. Plant in pots or borders in full sun or partial shade. Water until established.
- Garden ready plants – these can be planted outside straight away. Plant with the top of the rootball level with the surrounding soil or compost. Firm in well and water.
Propagating forget-me-not
Forget-me-not will self-seed easily. Either allow them to spread naturally or lift new seedlings and replant where you choose.
How to care for forget-me-not
Most forget-me-not varieties are biennial, and they self-seed freely. Pull up the plants before they set seed if you don't want them to spread too profusely.
Forget-me-nots are a low-maintenance plant. They don’t need feeding, but they do thrive in moist, not waterlogged soil. Water new plants regularly until established and, if they are in containers, all season – especially during hot weather.
Cut back plants after flowering, or remove if you want to avoid too many self-sown plants.
Pests and diseases
There are no pests that target myosotis, but foliage can be prone to powdery mildew or downy mildew after flowering.
Advice on buying forget-me-not
- Choose from seeds or plug plants – some nurseries and garden centres will offer packs of plugs for spring planting
- Always check over plants for signs of pests, disease or damage, before planting
Where to buy forget-me-not online
Forget-me-not varieties to try
Water forget-me-not. Jason Ingram
- Myosotis sylvatica – the classic forget-me-not is a biennial that grows in clumps with the classic blue flowers appearing in late spring. A biennial, Myosotis sylvatica, will self-seed freely and produce flowers reliably most years
- Myosotis arvensis – the field forget-me-knot is an annual forget-me-not, with blue and sometimes pink spring flowers that sometimes continue until autumn. The rosettes of leaves will sometimes overwinter successfully
- Myosotis Blue Ball – this cultivar grows in neat, compact mounds, to a height of 15cm, with the characteristic blue flowers appearing in spring and early summer
- Myosotis 'Bluesylva' – a low, spreading biennial cultivar. Its blue flowers have a yellow eye that fades to white
- Myosotis Victoria – with pink, blue and white flowers, this has a long flowering period
- Myosotis scorpioides – the water forget-me-not is an essential perennial for wildlife ponds, either for the edges or in shallow water. It shelters aquatic larvae such as tadpoles, and newts lay eggs in the leaves. Cut back plants after flowering and divide clumps every few years.
Frequently asked questions
Do forget-me-nots come back every year?
Myosotis sylvatia, the most widely available forget-me-not grown in gardens, is a short-lived perennial but is usually grown as a biennial. It self-seeds and then flowers the following year. As forget-me-nots are continually spreading by seed, once it’s in your garden, it should flower every year.
Are forget-me-nots invasive in the UK?
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Forget-me-nots are not listed as invasive, but the RHS does advise keeping on top of plants after they’ve flowered to prevent them from becoming invasive. To prevent them from becoming a problem, if they are spreading further than you would like, lift or cut back the plants after flowering before they release their seeds.
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