Phacelia (Lacy Phacelia)
Phacelia tanacetifolia
Family Boraginaceae
Beekeepers rank phacelia among the best nectar plants on earth, acre for acre — and it goes from seed to those curled, lavender-blue flower coils in six to eight weeks. Ferny foliage, unusual bloom, and a constant low hum of visitors: few annuals give this much this fast.
Beyond the bees, it recruits hoverflies whose larvae hunt aphids in the vegetable rows next door — a native annual that works as cover crop, insectary strip, or simple pollinator patch. Fast, cheap, and self-sowing if you let it, it's the easiest good deed a garden can do. Sow a ribbon of it.
Where to buy phacelia (lacy phacelia) — 3 nurseries compared
Full Sun
Low water
Very Fast growth
Native to North America
Attracts bees
None winter chill
From the print shop
Growing phacelia (lacy phacelia)? Hang it.
Our Plant Library collection carries phacelia (lacy phacelia) — Phacelia tanacetifolia, print Nº 365, “Phacelia (Lacy Phacelia).”
526 designsfrom $12.99white or black backgroundmatte poster, unframed
Will it fruit where you are?
Enter your ZIP — we look up your USDA hardiness zone (2023 map) and check it against what phacelia (lacy phacelia) actually needs.
Life cycleAnnualPhacelia (Lacy Phacelia) · Common problems
Common phacelia (lacy phacelia) problems
Pests
1 problem on file
- Almost none
Diseases
1 problem on file
- Almost none
Phacelia (Lacy Phacelia) · Growing & propagation
Growing phacelia (lacy phacelia)
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low-Moderate
Soil- Any well-drained · pH 6.0 - 7.5
Fertilizer- None
Pruning- Cut/till before seed set
Sow as a fast cover crop, insectary strip, or bee plant — it blooms in 6-8 weeks in a haze of lavender-blue that draws bees and beneficial hoverflies (whose larvae eat aphids) like almost nothing else. Not a nitrogen-fixer, but great biomass and weed suppression. Cut before it sets seed unless you want volunteers.
Spacing- Broadcast
How to plant & propagate phacelia (lacy phacelia)
- Propagate
- From seed
Phacelia (Lacy Phacelia) · Calculators & field guides
A little help in the garden.
Phacelia (Lacy Phacelia) · Yearly calendar
The phacelia (lacy phacelia) year, month by month
Jan
No calendar activity is listed for this month.
BloomBloomMarch to August
What each band means
- Bloom — flowers open — pollinators working, frost on blossoms is the danger.
These are the species' typical months — expect them a few weeks earlier in warm zones and later in cold ones. Watch the plant, not just the calendar.
Phacelia (Lacy Phacelia) · Ecology & uses
Ecology & uses
Phacelia tanacetifolia
Phacelia (Lacy Phacelia) in the garden system
- Herbaceous layer annual
- Nectary/insectary
Attracts- Bees
Moisture- Upland / dry
Deer- Browsed
Protect young plants
- Origin
- Native to North America
What phacelia (lacy phacelia) is grown for
✓ Commonly eatenfoliage can irritate sensitive skin
Use- Top bee plant
- Use
- Beneficial insects
- Use
- Fast cover crop
Harvesting & storing phacelia (lacy phacelia)
Cover crop / insectary strip; not for eating.
Edibility, identification, and traditional-use notes here are general reference — not medical or veterinary advice, and not a claim that any plant treats or prevents anything. Medicinal ratings record how strongly a plant features in herbal tradition, nothing more. Never eat or dose a plant you have not positively identified. More on how to use this library.
Phacelia (Lacy Phacelia) · Varieties & cultivars
Choosing a phacelia (lacy phacelia) variety
Species (tanacetifolia)
Sources & plant identity
Know what you’re growing.
See where the knowledge comes from.
Phacelia (Lacy Phacelia)
Phacelia tanacetifolia
The plant, at a glance.
- Botanical name
- Phacelia tanacetifolia
- Plant family
- Boraginaceae
- Growth habit
- Annual
- Origin
- Native to North America
- USDA plant symbol
- PHTA
- Invasive risk
- Low
Hardiness, size and timing vary with your cultivar, soil and climate.
Rooted in research.
University extension research, brought together with hands-on growing experience at Story Thyme Farms.
Questions
Phacelia (Lacy Phacelia) questions, answered straight.
Is phacelia (lacy phacelia) safe for kids and pets?
Phacelia (Lacy Phacelia) is commonly eaten and isn't considered toxic, but "commonly eaten" isn't a guarantee for any particular person or animal — allergies, quantity, and which part you eat all matter. One caveat on this one: foliage can irritate sensitive skin. Never eat a plant you haven't positively identified, and check with a vet before letting pets or livestock graze anything new.
When do you harvest phacelia (lacy phacelia)?
Cover crop / insectary strip; not for eating.
How do you propagate phacelia (lacy phacelia)?
From seed.
Elsewhere
Where phacelia (lacy phacelia) sits in the library.
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White Clover
Hairy Vetch