Heliotrope Heliotropium arborescens
Heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens) is an annual flowering plant in the Boraginaceae family, native to Peru (Andes). It grows 30–60 cm (12–24 in) tall and 30–50 cm (12–20 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 1 °C (34 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
Plan Heliotrope in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Heliotrope at a glance
| Type | Annual flowering plant |
|---|---|
| Family | Boraginaceae |
| Mature height | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
| Spacing | 30 cm (12 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 1 °C (34 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | about 6–11 weeks after planting, for 14–21 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 90 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Peru (Andes) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇫🇷 France |
Is Heliotrope toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: all parts, seeds
Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that damage the liver if eaten; documented mainly in livestock, so pet levels are inferred.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Heliotrope
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
See Heliotrope in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (6 plants)
- The Butchart Gardens (44 plants)
- Longwood Gardens (20 plants)
Questions about Heliotrope
- How far apart should I plant Heliotrope?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–50 cm (12–20 in).
- Does Heliotrope need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Heliotrope need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Heliotrope?
- It tolerates about 1 °C (34 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Heliotrope flower?
- About 6–11 weeks after planting, for 14–21 weeks.
- Is Heliotrope poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people moderately toxic. Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that damage the liver if eaten; documented mainly in livestock, so pet levels are inferred.
- What grows well with Heliotrope?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Heliotrope. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, NC State Extension
- Poisonous plants of North Carolina / Plant Toolbox toxicity, NC State Extension
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Tender shrubby perennial grown as an annual outside zones 10-11; counted from transplant. Vanilla-scented flowers.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Borage Borago officinalis
- Comfrey Symphytum officinale
- Woodland forget-me-not Myosotis sylvatica
- Lungwort (pulmonaria) Pulmonaria officinalis
- Tree echium (giant viper's bugloss) Echium pininana
- Virginia bluebells Mertensia virginica
- Pride of Madeira Echium candicans
- Chatham Island forget-me-not Myosotidium hortensia