Heliotropium indicum
Indian heliotrope
Tropical America (naturalized worldwide)
SunFull Sun – Part Shade
WaterMedium
Overview
Heliotropium indicum is an erect, branching annual herb growing 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 cm) tall, with coarse, hairy stems and a taproot. The oval to triangular leaves are 2 to 5 inches (5 to 13 cm) long, wrinkled, with wavy margins and rough hairs on both surfaces. Its flowers line one side of a curled, scorpioid spike that uncoils as the buds open from base to tip. Each flower is small, about 0.2 inch (5 mm) across, pale blue to lavender or white with a yellow throat. Flowering and fruiting continue over a long warm season, producing ribbed nutlets. The plant grows in moist, disturbed ground such as roadsides, ditches, fields, and stream edges, and behaves as a weed across the tropics and warm temperate regions. All parts contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that damage the liver if eaten. It completes its life cycle in a single season and self-seeds freely. It needs warmth and moist soil and dies at the first frost.
Native Range
Native to tropical America, and now naturalized through the tropics and warm temperate regions worldwide, including the southeastern United States. It grows in moist, disturbed ground such as roadsides, ditches, fields, and stream banks.Suggested Uses
Grown mainly in tropical medicinal and botanical collections rather than ornamental beds. In gardens it appears most often as a volunteer weed in moist, disturbed ground. The flowers draw small bees and butterflies during the warm season.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 2'
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"
Bloom Information
Flowering continues over a long warm season, from late spring through autumn in frost-free areas. Small pale blue to lavender or white flowers open in sequence along a coiled, one-sided spike. Bloom and seed set overlap for many weeks. Flowering ends when frost kills the plant.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
pale blue to lavenderFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
As a warm-season annual, Heliotropium indicum grows in full sun to part shade in moist, fertile soil. It accepts loam, sand, or clay with a pH from 5.5 to 7.5 and steady moisture. The plant needs warm temperatures and dies at the first frost. It self-seeds readily and can spread as a weed in mild climates. No winter care applies, since the plant does not persist. All parts are toxic if eaten, due to pyrrolizidine alkaloids.Pruning
Pruning is not generally practiced on this annual. Removing spent flower spikes before they set seed limits unwanted self-sowing. Plants can be pulled out at the end of the season. Cutting back has little lasting effect, since growth restarts from seed.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons
⚠️ Toxicity Warning
Toxic to pets and humansPlanting Guide
Planting Methods & Timing
Planting Method
direct sow
Direct Sow Timing
after the last frost when the soil has warmed
Days to Maturity
60–90 days
Plant Spacing
12 inches