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Heliotrope (Phacelia)
Heliotrope are a genus of New World herbs that include gorgeous ornamentals, useful cover crops, and bee garden staples. Some species are used for their ability to fix nitrogen and attract beneficial insects, but can easily become invasive if not controlled. An early bloomer, members of this genus can feed bees while other flowers are still developing. Be careful, however, as many species can cause skin reactions when touched. 
Lifespan
Annual, Biennial
Key Facts About Heliotrope
Feedback
Attributes of Heliotrope
Leaf type
Semi-evergreen
Scientific Classification of Heliotrope
Distribution of Heliotrope
Feedback
Distribution Map of Heliotrope
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Heliotrope
Feedback
Heliotrope is a versatile genus thriving in a range of light conditions, from full sun to partial shade. Requiring well-drained soil, it prefers a regular watering schedule that allows to dry slightly between waterings. It tolerates a broad range of temperatures but needs protection from strong winds. Challenges include pests like aphids and beetles, and diseases like mold and powdery mildew. Seasonal considerations include increased watering during summer's heat and reduction in winter to prevent overwatering. Properly adjusting care throughout the seasons is crucial for the health of this plant.
How to Water Heliotrope?
What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Heliotrope?
How to Plant Heliotrope?
Exploring the Heliotrope Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Lacy phacelia
Lacy phacelia flowers open in a sequence that allows for a long flowering time, which is why it attracts bumblebees, honeybees, and other pollinators. It is typically grown in vineyards and along agricultural fields. This plant is native to the southwestern United States and is grown as a cover crop, green manure, and decorative plant.
California Bluebell
California Bluebell (Phacelia campanularia) is an annual wildflower that will grow to 30 cm tall. It is native to California and can grow in sandy soils and desert climates. Blooms early spring with cobalt-blue bell-shaped flowers. Grows in full sun or partial shade and re-seeds itself. Great for rock gardens, but contact with skin can cause irritation.
Silverleaf Scorpionweed
Silverleaf Scorpionweed is a perennial herb with tufts of leaves at the base of bell-shaped purple or white flowers. The tiny flowers are notable because their stamens protrude far above their petals. It is native to western North America.
Heliotrope phacelia
The heliotrope phacelia is a flowering annual native to the southwestern United States. Commonly found in sandy soil and desert plains, the plant has an unpleasant odor and can cause a rash.
Fernleaf phacelia
Fernleaf phacelia is a biennial plant often found in rocky woodlands in the United States. Clusters of purple flowers hover over fernlike leaves that remain green all winter. The second year, the plant flowers, produces seeds, and dies but will reseed easily.
Caterpillar phacelia
Another name for caterpillar phacelia (Phacelia cicutaria) is caterpillar scorpionweed. People call it these names because its stems look just like fuzzy caterpillars. This plant is indigenous to the western United States. “Phacelia” in the genus name comes from the Greek word for “cluster.” It’s named that because the flowers always grow together in bunches.
Wild canterbury bells
Wild canterbury bells (Phacelia minor) is an annual that blooms from spring to summer with purple bell-shaped flowers. Interesting foliage with short black hairs and long white hairs covering the leaves and stems. It is drought-tolerant and prefers growing in full sun. Attracts butterflies and bees and is a fast-growing plant that is perfect for a butterfly garden.
Threadleaf Phacelia
Threadleaf Phacelia (Phacelia linearis) is a flowering plant species native to western North America. Threadleaf Phacelia grows in forests, woodlands, and open scrubland habitats. This species is also known as the linear-leaved phacelia.
All Species of Heliotrope
Lacy phacelia
Lacy phacelia
Lacy phacelia flowers open in a sequence that allows for a long flowering time, which is why it attracts bumblebees, honeybees, and other pollinators. It is typically grown in vineyards and along agricultural fields. This plant is native to the southwestern United States and is grown as a cover crop, green manure, and decorative plant.
California Bluebell
California Bluebell
California Bluebell (Phacelia campanularia) is an annual wildflower that will grow to 30 cm tall. It is native to California and can grow in sandy soils and desert climates. Blooms early spring with cobalt-blue bell-shaped flowers. Grows in full sun or partial shade and re-seeds itself. Great for rock gardens, but contact with skin can cause irritation.
Silverleaf Scorpionweed
Silverleaf Scorpionweed
Silverleaf Scorpionweed is a perennial herb with tufts of leaves at the base of bell-shaped purple or white flowers. The tiny flowers are notable because their stamens protrude far above their petals. It is native to western North America.
Heliotrope phacelia
Heliotrope phacelia
The heliotrope phacelia is a flowering annual native to the southwestern United States. Commonly found in sandy soil and desert plains, the plant has an unpleasant odor and can cause a rash.
Fernleaf phacelia
Fernleaf phacelia
Fernleaf phacelia is a biennial plant often found in rocky woodlands in the United States. Clusters of purple flowers hover over fernlike leaves that remain green all winter. The second year, the plant flowers, produces seeds, and dies but will reseed easily.
Caterpillar phacelia
Caterpillar phacelia
Another name for caterpillar phacelia (Phacelia cicutaria) is caterpillar scorpionweed. People call it these names because its stems look just like fuzzy caterpillars. This plant is indigenous to the western United States. “Phacelia” in the genus name comes from the Greek word for “cluster.” It’s named that because the flowers always grow together in bunches.
Wild canterbury bells
Wild canterbury bells
Wild canterbury bells (Phacelia minor) is an annual that blooms from spring to summer with purple bell-shaped flowers. Interesting foliage with short black hairs and long white hairs covering the leaves and stems. It is drought-tolerant and prefers growing in full sun. Attracts butterflies and bees and is a fast-growing plant that is perfect for a butterfly garden.
Threadleaf Phacelia
Threadleaf Phacelia
Threadleaf Phacelia (Phacelia linearis) is a flowering plant species native to western North America. Threadleaf Phacelia grows in forests, woodlands, and open scrubland habitats. This species is also known as the linear-leaved phacelia.
Branching phacelia
Branching phacelia
Branching phacelia (Phacelia ramosissima) is a perennial herb species native to California. Branching phacelia grows from British Columbia to California and the Southwestern United States. This flowering species can be variable in appearance and grows in many different types of habitats.
Silky phacelia
Silky phacelia
One interesting thing about silky phacelia (Phacelia sericea) is that it can accumulate more gold in its tissues than most other plant species. However, you’re not likely to get rich extracting the gold from the plant, because it only contains 12 parts per billion of gold. Still, this is much higher than what’s in the soil, which is 1.6 parts per billion.
Miami mist
Miami mist
Miami mist is an annual blue flower with lacy edges. It is native to the eastern United States. Colonies in bloom give the appearance of a hazy mist on the forest floor, as reflected in its common name.
Imbricate phacelia
Imbricate phacelia
Imbricate phacelia is a perennial herb native to California. The black tail bumblebee frequents these bell-shaped flowers that grow on bristly stems. This plant grows up to 1 m tall and is found across a variety of habitats.
Blue curls
Blue curls
Blue curls is an annual or biennial wildflower with bell-shaped, lavender blooms and long, yellow stamens. The buds form in curled up clusters which unfold as the flowers open, giving this plant its common name.
Largeflower phacelia
Largeflower phacelia
Largeflower phacelia is known scientifically as a Phacelia grandiflora. It originates from parts of North America, including the Southern California hills.
Calthaleaf phacelia
Calthaleaf phacelia
Calthaleaf phacelia can be found in Death Valley and the Mojave Desert below 1000 meters in elevation. Secretions from the leaves and stems can cause contact dermatitis on the skin so it's best to leave these plants alone. Butterflies and bees tend to be attracted to the bright blooms.
More Popular Genus
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Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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About
Key Facts
Distribution
How To Care
All Species
More Genus
Heliotrope
Phacelia
Heliotrope are a genus of New World herbs that include gorgeous ornamentals, useful cover crops, and bee garden staples. Some species are used for their ability to fix nitrogen and attract beneficial insects, but can easily become invasive if not controlled. An early bloomer, members of this genus can feed bees while other flowers are still developing. Be careful, however, as many species can cause skin reactions when touched.
Lifespan
Annual, Biennial
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Key Facts About Heliotrope
Feedback
Attributes of Heliotrope
Leaf type
Semi-evergreen
Scientific Classification of Heliotrope
Distribution of Heliotrope
Feedback
Distribution Map of Heliotrope
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Heliotrope
Feedback
Heliotrope is a versatile genus thriving in a range of light conditions, from full sun to partial shade. Requiring well-drained soil, it prefers a regular watering schedule that allows to dry slightly between waterings. It tolerates a broad range of temperatures but needs protection from strong winds. Challenges include pests like aphids and beetles, and diseases like mold and powdery mildew. Seasonal considerations include increased watering during summer's heat and reduction in winter to prevent overwatering. Properly adjusting care throughout the seasons is crucial for the health of this plant.
How to Water Heliotrope?
What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Heliotrope?
How to Plant Heliotrope?
Exploring the Heliotrope Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Lacy phacelia
Lacy phacelia flowers open in a sequence that allows for a long flowering time, which is why it attracts bumblebees, honeybees, and other pollinators. It is typically grown in vineyards and along agricultural fields. This plant is native to the southwestern United States and is grown as a cover crop, green manure, and decorative plant.
California Bluebell
California Bluebell (Phacelia campanularia) is an annual wildflower that will grow to 30 cm tall. It is native to California and can grow in sandy soils and desert climates. Blooms early spring with cobalt-blue bell-shaped flowers. Grows in full sun or partial shade and re-seeds itself. Great for rock gardens, but contact with skin can cause irritation.
Silverleaf Scorpionweed
Silverleaf Scorpionweed is a perennial herb with tufts of leaves at the base of bell-shaped purple or white flowers. The tiny flowers are notable because their stamens protrude far above their petals. It is native to western North America.
Heliotrope phacelia
The heliotrope phacelia is a flowering annual native to the southwestern United States. Commonly found in sandy soil and desert plains, the plant has an unpleasant odor and can cause a rash.
Show More Species
All Species of Heliotrope
More Popular Genus
Feedback
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
Nearly 5 years of research
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
