Forget-me-nots are the best ground cover for beds and borders because they have tiny flowerheads that produce a lot of flowers in a wide range of colors and spread easily.
Actually, forget-me-nots are usually grown in the ground, but it’s very simple to get the same beautiful results in pots, window boxes, or hanging baskets.
horticultural consultant Colin Skelly says, “Myosotis is a great filler plant for pots of spring bulbs. It covers the base of the pot and spills over the edges, making the perfect foil for the vertical accents of taller bulbs.”
This article should tell you everything you need to know about how to grow forget-me-nots in pots.
With their delicate star-shaped blooms in shades of blue, pink, white and yellow, forget-me-nots are one of the most beloved old-fashioned garden flowers. While typically grown in garden beds and borders, many gardeners wonder – can forget-me-nots also thrive when grown in containers? The answer is a resounding yes!
With a bit of planning and proper care, pots and planters can allow you to enjoy these charming flowers on patios, decks, indoors and anywhere you have space. Here is a complete guide to successfully growing lovely forget-me-nots in pots.
Why Grow Forget-Me-Nots in Containers?
There are several great reasons to try planting forget-me-nots in pots
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Versatility – Potted forget-me-nots can be moved to decorate any outdoor or indoor space. Enjoy their early season color!
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Control spread – Forgetting-me-nots self-seed freely in garden beds but pots contain them.
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Extend bloom time – Start plants indoors early to enjoy flowers sooner outside.
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Creative designs – Use forget-me-nots in mixed patio containers or indoor arrangements.
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Overwintering – Move pots to a protected spot outdoors or indoors over winter.
Choosing the Right Container
The container you select for growing forget-me-nots plays a key role in their success. Consider the following when choosing pots:
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Drainage – Pick containers with adequate drainage holes to prevent wet soil.
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Size – Forget-me-not roots are shallow but need room to spread. Choose at least 10-12 inch diameter pots.
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Material – Use plastic, glazed ceramic or terra cotta pots to retain moisture.
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Shape – Low, wide pots work better than tall, narrow ones.
Make sure to use a quality potting mix, not garden soil, in containers. A soilless mix amended with compost or peat provides forget-me-nots the moisture and nutrition they require in pots.
How to Plant Forget-Me-Nots in Containers
Planting potted forget-me-nots is simple:
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Fill chosen pots with moistened potting mix to about 1 inch below the rim.
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Carefully remove plants from nursery pots and loosen circled roots.
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Place in pot at same level as grown before and firm mix gently around roots.
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Water thoroughly until it runs from the pot’s bottom drainage holes.
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Allow 6-12 inches between pots if planting several containers together.
Forget-me-nots can also be grown from seed in containers. Sow seeds on the surface in early spring and do not cover them. Keep soil moist until seedlings emerge.
Caring for Potted Forget-Me-Nots
To keep your container forget-me-nots thriving, provide:
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Sun: At least 6 hours of direct sun daily. Morning light is ideal.
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Water: Check soil daily and water when surface is just dry to touch. Don’t overwater.
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Fertilizer: Apply balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during spring and summer.
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Deadheading: Prune spent blooms to encourage reblooming. Cut back to a leaf node.
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Grooming: Shear leggy growth back by 1/3 for compact growth. Remove old foliage in fall.
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Overwintering Care: Move pots to a sheltered spot. Avoid wet soil. Mulch for insulation.
With proper care, potted forget-me-nots will provide cheery spring to early summer flowers. Enjoy their ideal blend of delicate beauty and tough nature in container gardens.
Choosing the Best Forget-Me-Not Varieties for Pots
Many forget-me-not species and cultivars are suitable for container growing. Some top picks include:
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Woodland forget-me-not – Native wildflower with bright blue blooms. Does well in shade.
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Azure forget-me-not – Vigorous with large blue flowers. Blooms heavily.
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Pink forget-me-not – Pretty pink version of the popular blue flower.
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Gold and blue forget-me-not – Unique bi-color flowers in spring.
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Dwarf forget-me-not – Compact growth perfect for smaller pots. Blue blooms.
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‘Ballerina Blue’ – Early large blue blooms on a dwarf plant.
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‘Blue Wonder’ – Profuse sky-blue spring flowers on compact plants.
Experiment with different forget-me-not varieties in pots to find your favorites! The right planting spot and care will help these charming flowers thrive.
Can You Grow Forget-Me-Nots In Containers?
First and foremost, the answer to this question is a resounding yes!
Many people like forget-me-nots because they can spread without becoming weedy or invasive. This is why they are often used in outdoor displays.
While they’re not the most aggressive ground cover, that doesn’t mean they can’t sometimes get too big for their boots.
Their prolifically self-seeding nature means you might get more than you bargained for.
Growing your specimens in pots cuts off that option.
Another good thing about growing forget-me-nots in a pot is that it’s easy to move them around if the weather or your tastes change.
Rearrange floral displays with the minimum of fuss and bring vulnerable plants indoors during the wintertime.
Choosing A Container
Forget-me-nots are moisture-loving plants and your choice of a container should reflect that.
When it comes to durability, plastic is better than ceramic or clay because it doesn’t lose its shape as quickly.
They’re easier to move around too.
You could always put your plant in something that looks better if you don’t like the way a plastic pot looks.
However, make sure that the container you choose has enough drainage holes because forget-me-nots hate it when it’s dry, but they will die if it gets too wet.
Forget-me-nots don’t care too much about the type of soil they grow in; even poor fertility isn’t enough to stop them from growing.
I think you should mix one part compost with two parts potting soil and one part perlite, grit, or sand.
By doing this, you’ll make sure the plant gets enough water and food, which will help it grow to its full size and flower as often and as nicely as you want.
On the other hand, it won’t give it too many nutrients (like a fertilizer might) and make the plant leggy.
Forget-Me-Not Care In Pots | Growth, Care, Seeds And After-flowering Care BG
FAQ
Can you plant forget-me-nots in a container?
Do forget-me-nots need sun or shade?
Does forget-me-not flowers come up every year?
Can I grow forget-me-nots indoors?
Can you grow Forget-Me-Not Flowers in pots?
Growing forget-me-nots in pots not only allows you to enjoy their beauty year-round but also makes it easy to control their growing environment and optimize their care. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about successfully growing forget-me-not flowers in pots.
How do you grow Forget-Me-Not Flowers in pots?
Prepare a suitable pot with drainage holes and use well-draining soil for planting forget-me-nots in containers. Ensure proper spacing and sunlight, while maintaining evenly moist soil. Pinch off faded flowers to encourage new growth. Successfully growing forget-me-not flowers in pots involves specific care routines to ensure they thrive.
Should you plant forget-me-nots in containers?
Use containers if you have limited space or if you want to grow forget-me-nots indoors. Forget-me-not plants in containers is not how most gardeners use this perennial flower. It is more typically used in perennial beds, as a border, or to fill in space around other plants.
How do you care for a potted forget-me-not plant?
Feeding your potted forget-me-nots encourages healthy growth. Use a well-draining soil and fertilize the plants as you would with ground planting. It is essential to monitor soil moisture closely, as containers tend to dry out faster than ground soil. Provide some shade during the day to avoid excessive heat exposure.
