Also known as Baby Blue Eyes · 64 gardener saves
Nemophila: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Nemophila, the genus most gardeners know as baby blue eyes. We track 4 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 4 most-saved Nemophila varieties
Of 4 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedPenny Black Baby Blue Eyes
Nemophila menziesii 'Penny Black'
#2 most savedBaby Blue Eyes
Nemophila menziesii 'Baby Blue Eyes'
#3 most savedFivespot
Nemophila maculata 'Fivespot'
White Baby Blue Eyes
Nemophila menziesii 'Snow White'
How to grow Nemophila
What the Nemophila varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 4 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Nemophila year
- PlantFebruary, March, September and October100% of varieties
Sow seeds directly in late winter/early spring for best results
- FertilizeApril50% of varieties
Light feeding once in spring if growth is slow
- DeadheadApril50% of varieties
Remove spent flowers to maintain a tidy appearance during the short bloom period
Do
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
- Water regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
- Provide partial sun for optimal flowering
- Mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds
- Provide full sun for vibrant blooms 🌞
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering which can cause root rot ❌
- Do not allow soil to dry out completely
- Refrain from fertilizing during dormancy
What goes wrong with Nemophila
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Slugs | Irregular holes in leaves | Handpick or set slug traps |
| Powdery Mildew | White, powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply organic fungicide |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide if needed |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing despite adequate watering | Improve drainage and reduce watering frequency |
Making more Nemophila
Cuttings
- Take 3-inch stem cuttings in early summer.
- Dip in rooting hormone and place in moist soil.
- Maintain high humidity and indirect light for 6 weeks.
Seed sowing
- Tuck seeds just beneath soil surface, 2 weeks before last frost.
- Keep soil moist and in a sunny location for germination.
- Thin seedlings to 4 inches apart after emergence.
Nemophila questions
How many types of Nemophila are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 4 distinct Nemophila varieties. The most popular — ranked by 64 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Nemophila grow in?
Across its varieties, Nemophila covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Nemophila bloom?
Most Nemophila varieties bloom in late spring, early spring, spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Nemophila should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Design with Nemophila in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
