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Veronica

Veronica spicata
Also known as: Spiked Speedwell, Spike Speedwell

Veronica is a flower in the Plantaginaceae family. It grows best in full sun with medium moisture, and is listed for USDA zones 3-8. Plants reach maturity about 98–112 days after planting and sit about 12 inches apart.

Varieties

1 from True Leaf Market · sorted by days to maturity
  • Blue Bouquet98–112 days

    Non-GMO; Container

    98-112 days to maturity. Veronica spicata. Veronica Blue Bouquet Seeds. Non-GMO, Perennial. Ornamental. Blue Bouquet veronica seeds are a perennial favorite and timeless addition to your summer garden, with hardy compacts boasting first-year blooms. Blue Bouquet seeds grow into one of the most tolerant and resilient flowers found anywhere. Blue Bouquet veronica seeds promise leafy greens and tall lavender flowers as the perfect accent to any fresh-cut basket or bouquet. About 340,000 seeds per ounce.

    View on True Leaf Market
Family
Plantaginaceae
Category
Flower
Form
Bush
Lifecycle
perennial
Zone
3-8
Height
1–1.5 ft
Spread
1–1.3333333333333333 ft
Sun
Full sun

Plant spacing

1 plant per square footSquare-foot planting diagram: one veronica fills a 1-foot square, spaced 12 inches from its neighbors.
1 plant per square foot

In a square-foot bed, space veronica about 12 in apart — that fits 1 plant in each 1-foot square (1×1). Wider rows or containers space the same.

Water
Medium

Plan your veronica planting

Add veronica 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

Days to harvest
98–112 days
From transplant or sow to first harvest
Harvest style
Keep picking
Crops over several weeks
After harvest
Use within days
Quality eases off after peak
Frost tolerance
Hardy · to ~-30°F
Lowest temperature the foliage usually survives
Germination
~60%
Typical minimum germination rate

Growing timeline

When to plant and harvest veronicaPlanting timeline for veronica, relative to last frost: start indoors from 11 weeks before last frost to 1 week before last frost; grow from 1 week before last frost to 13 weeks after last frost; harvest from 13 weeks after last frost to 15 weeks after last frost.Start indoorsGrowLast frostTransplant
Start veronica indoors ~10 weeks before transplanting 1 week before last frost; first harvest 13 weeks after last frost.
Seed to transplant
56-70 days
Outdoor planting
-7 to 7 days vs frost
Propagation
Seed
Schedule anchor
Last Frost

Care & troubleshooting— extension-sourced, with citations

When to feed, prune & water

Harden off seedlings

Protection

Unusual this time of year.

Read: starting seeds indoors

Something looks wrong?

Describe what you see on your veronicaand we'll rank the likely causes — most likely first, least-invasive fix first.

Powdery mildew

Diseasemoderate

Symptoms: white powdery coating on upper leaf surfaces; starts as spots then spreads; leaves yellow and dry under the coating

  • 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.

    Source: UC IPM

  • 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.

    Always follow the product label — it is the law.

    Source: UC IPM

Slugs & snails

Pestmoderate

Symptoms: large ragged holes with smooth edges; slimy silvery trails; damage worst after rain and overnight

  • CulturalTrap, hand-pick at night, reduce cover· every 2 days · ~3 wksstrong evidence — extension confidence

    Pick at night with a flashlight, set shallow beer traps, water in the morning so soil dries by dusk, and clear damp hiding spots.

    Source: UC IPM: Snails and Slugs

  • OrganicIron-phosphate bait - label use only· every 1 wk · ~3 wksmoderate evidence — extension confidence

    Scatter a labeled iron-phosphate slug bait sparingly per the label; it's pet- and wildlife-safer than metaldehyde.

    Always follow the product label — it is the law.

    Source: UC IPM

Spider mites

Pestmoderate

Symptoms: fine pale stippling/speckling on leaves; fine webbing on undersides in hot dry spells; leaves bronzing and dropping

  • CulturalHose down and raise humidity· every 3 days · ~2 wksstrong evidence — extension confidence

    Mites thrive in hot, dry, dusty conditions. Spray foliage (especially undersides) with water to dislodge them and reduce dust.

    Source: UC IPM

  • OrganicInsecticidal soap or horticultural oil - label use only· every 5 days · ~2 wksmoderate evidence — extension confidence

    Apply to undersides per label; mites resist many products, so soaps/oils are preferred. Not in extreme heat.

    Always follow the product label — it is the law.

    Source: UC IPM

Aphids

Pestlow

Symptoms: clusters of tiny soft-bodied insects on new growth and undersides; sticky honeydew or sooty mold; curled distorted new leaves; ants tending them

  • 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.

    Source: UC IPM: Aphids

  • 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.

    Always follow the product label — it is the law.

    Source: UC IPM