Heliotrope
Heliotrope is a flower in the Boraginaceae family. It grows best in full sun to part shade with medium moisture, and is listed for USDA zones 2-13. Plants reach maturity about 91–98 days after planting and sit about 12 inches apart.
Varieties
1 from True Leaf Market · sorted by days to maturity▸Marine91–98 days
Non-GMO; Container; Annual
Resistance: HR: Disease
91-98 Days to maturity. Heliotropium arborescens. Heliotrope Marine Seeds. Non-GMO, Annual. Ornamental. Marine heliotrope seeds are fragrant and delicate, yet hardy grow where others would decline. It is easy to grow from seed and far more resistant to disease and mildew than many other seasonal favorites. Marine heliotrope seeds promise spectacular and lasting blooms that are sure to add seasonal perfume to any garden or fresh-cut arrangement.
View on True Leaf Market ↗
Plant spacing
In a square-foot bed, space heliotrope about 12 in apart — that fits 1 plant in each 1-foot square (1×1). Wider rows or containers space the same.
Plan your heliotrope planting
Add heliotrope to a free GardenDraft plan and get sow, transplant, and harvest dates computed for your ZIP code — with a drag-and-drop bed layout and reminders when it’s time to plant.
Start your free plan →At a glance
Growing timeline
Care & troubleshooting— extension-sourced, with citations
When to feed, prune & water
Attract beneficial insects and protect pollinators
Protection- Routine carePlant insectary flowers and tolerate light pestsstrong evidence — extension confidence
Grow a diversity of flowering plants (including small-flowered umbels and asters) to feed predators and parasitoids, and tolerate low pest numbers so natural enemies have prey to stick around.
- Routine careNever spray open bloomsstrong evidence — extension confidence
Avoid insecticides on flowering plants and apply any needed sprays in the evening when pollinators aren't active, and favor selective products over broad-spectrum ones to spare bees and beneficials.
Something looks wrong?
Describe what you see on your heliotropeand we'll rank the likely causes — most likely first, least-invasive fix first.
Powdery mildew
Diseasemoderate- CulturalImprove airflow + remove worst leavesstrong evidence — extension confidence
Cut out the most heavily coated leaves and thin for airflow; avoid wetting foliage late in the day.
- OrganicPotassium-bicarbonate or sulfur - label use only· every 1 wk · ~4 wksmoderate evidence — extension confidence
Apply a labeled potassium-bicarbonate or sulfur fungicide weekly per the label. No sulfur within 2 weeks of oil or in high heat.
Aphids
Pestlow- CulturalBlast off with water· every 3 days · ~2 wksstrong evidence — extension confidence
Knock colonies off with a strong jet of water in the morning; repeat every few days. Light infestations rarely need more.
- OrganicInsecticidal soap - label use only· every 1 wk · ~3 wksmoderate evidence — extension confidence
For persistent colonies apply insecticidal soap to undersides per label. Avoid open flowers.