Also known as Scorpionweed · 131 gardener saves
Phacelia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Phacelia, the genus most gardeners know as scorpionweed. We track 5 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 5 most-saved Phacelia varieties
Of 5 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedLacy phacelia Bluebell phacelia
Phacelia tanacetifolia
#2 most savedGreat Valley Phacelia
Phacelia ciliata
#3 most savedParry's Phacelia
Phacelia parryi
Desert Bluebell
Phacelia campanularia
Sticky Phacelia
Phacelia viscida
How to grow Phacelia
What the Phacelia varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 5 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Phacelia year
- PlantFebruary, March, September and October100% of varieties
Sow seeds directly in early spring or late fall for best results
- DeadheadMay and June40% of varieties
Allow some flowers to set seed for naturalizing and next year's growth
- HarvestJune40% of varieties
Allow flowers to fade and collect dried seed heads to sow for next year.
Do
- Water consistently during dry spells 🌱
- Water regularly without overwatering 🌱
- Provide full sun exposure for optimal growth
- Mulch to conserve moisture and keep roots cool
- Fertilize lightly in early spring for vigorous flowering
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t disturb roots during flowering
- Refrain from fertilizing late in the season
- Avoid waterlogging soil ❌
What goes wrong with Phacelia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on foliage | Increase humidity and apply miticide if needed |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Apply organic fungicide or improve air circulation |
| Powdery Mildew | White powder on leaves | Ensure good air circulation and apply fungicide if needed |
Making more Phacelia
Cuttings
- Take softwood cuttings in late spring
- Dip cuttings in rooting hormone
- Place in moist soil and keep humid for 4 weeks
Seed
- Tuck seeds 1/4 inch deep in prepared soil
- Keep soil moist for germination, which takes about 2 weeks
Phacelia questions
How many types of Phacelia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 5 distinct Phacelia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 131 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Phacelia grow in?
Across its varieties, Phacelia 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 Phacelia bloom?
Most Phacelia varieties bloom in mid-summer, spring, late spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Phacelia 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 Phacelia 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.
