Phacelia
Phacelia spp. (incl. P. tanacetifolia, P. campanularia, P. bolanderi)
Phacelia is a stunning North American native wildflower bearing intensely vivid blue-violet, bell-shaped flowers on gracefully coiled, unfurling stems. It symbolizes enthusiasm, wonder, and the irreplaceable beauty of the wild American landscape.
Boraginaceae (Borage family)
Spring to early summer (March–June); cool-season annual; P. tanacetifolia also used as a summer cover crop
Symbolism & Meanings
Key Meanings
Perfect For
Color Meanings
Similar flowers: nemophilas and shooting stars also share similar meanings.
Cultural Significance
Phacelia is one of the great secret treasures of the North American wildflower world — a plant that remains relatively unknown in mainstream horticulture despite producing some of the most vivid, saturated blue flowers found anywhere in the plant kingdom. Its coiled flower stems, which unfurl sequentially as each bloom opens, give it an almost kinetic quality — a sense of joyful unfolding and revelation that has captivated botanists and gardeners alike. In California, mass blooms of Phacelia following wet winters are among the celebrated wildflower superbloom phenomena that draw thousands of visitors to the Antelope Valley and Anza-Borrego Desert. In European agriculture, P. tanacetifolia has become one of the most important pollinator-support plants, planted in field margins across the UK and EU as a critical resource for bees.Shop Our Floral Collection
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Physical Characteristics
Natural Habitat
Growing Guide
Sunlight
Full sun; performs best in open, sunny positions with excellent drainage
Water
Low water needs; highly drought-tolerant once established; thrives with natural rainfall in cool seasons
Soil
Well-drained, Sandy to rocky, Low to average fertility, Slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0–7.5)
Expert Growing Tips
Direct sow seeds in autumn (mild climates) or very early spring into poor, well-drained soil in full sun
Does not transplant well — always sow where plants are to grow
Thin seedlings to 6–9 inches apart; overcrowding reduces flowering
Avoid over-fertilizing — too-rich soil produces lush foliage at the expense of flowers
Note that some people experience skin irritation from the fine hairs on P. tanacetifolia foliage; wear gloves when handling in quantity
Allow plants to self-seed for a naturalized, returning display each spring
Uses & Benefits
Ornamental Uses
- Wildflower meadow and prairie plantings for vivid spring color
- Pollinator gardens — among the most bee-attractive plants in cultivation
- Cover crop in vegetable gardens to attract beneficial insects and fix soil
- Rock gardens and gravel garden plantings
- Desert and drought-tolerant garden designs
- Mass plantings in agricultural field margins to attract pollinators
Traditional Uses
- No significant traditional or modern medicinal uses documented for most Phacelia species
- P. tanacetifolia is widely used in modern agriculture as a cover crop and green manure, valued for its exceptional ability to attract honeybees and hoverflies that control aphid populations — a form of integrated pest management
- Some Indigenous peoples of California used certain Phacelia species in minor folk remedies, though details are not widely documented
Disclaimer: Information provided is for educational purposes only. Consult healthcare professionals before using any plant medicinally.
Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions about the Phacelia
What is phacelia commonly called?
Phacelia goes by several common names depending on the species. Phacelia tanacetifolia is known as Lacy Phacelia, Blue Tansy, or Purple Tansy. P. campanularia is called California Bluebell or Desert Bluebell. The genus is sometimes called Fiddleneck or Scorpionweed, names referring to the distinctive coiled flower stems that uncurl as blooms open.
Is phacelia good for bees?
Phacelia is considered one of the single best plants for attracting bees in cultivation. Studies have found it to be among the top producers of nectar per unit area of any flowering plant. P. tanacetifolia is now widely planted in agricultural field margins across Europe specifically to support honeybee and bumblebee populations and attract pest-controlling hoverflies.
What does phacelia symbolize?
Phacelia symbolizes enthusiasm, wonder, and the joy of discovery. Its intensely vivid blue flowers and the mesmerizing way its stems uncoil as each bloom opens evoke a sense of joyful, dynamic energy and openness to the world's natural beauty.
Can phacelia cause skin irritation?
Yes — some Phacelia species, particularly P. tanacetifolia, have fine hairs on their stems and foliage that can cause skin irritation or contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. It is advisable to wear gloves when handling large quantities of the plant, though casual contact in the garden is generally not a concern.
How do you grow phacelia?
Phacelia is one of the easiest wildflowers to grow from seed. Direct sow into poor, well-drained soil in full sun in autumn or very early spring. It dislikes transplanting, so sow where it is to grow. Thin to 6–9 inches apart and avoid fertilizing — lean soil produces the best flowers. It self-seeds freely in suitable gardens.
What is phacelia used for in agriculture?
Phacelia tanacetifolia is widely used in modern sustainable agriculture as a cover crop and companion plant. It attracts large numbers of beneficial insects including honeybees, bumblebees, and hoverflies whose larvae eat aphids, providing natural pest control. It is also used as a green manure, dug in before flowering to improve soil structure and fertility.
Available Colors
Quick Facts
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