Forget-Me-Not Flower: Meaning, Legend and How to Grow It

Few flowers carry as much meaning in such a small package. The forget-me-not has flowers barely a third of an inch wide, yet it has stood for faithful love and memory for hundreds of years. Its sky-blue petals and bright yellow center are easy to spot in spring borders, woodland edges and along streams.

It is also one of the easiest flowers to grow. Scatter some seeds once, and forget-me-nots tend to come back on their own each spring, filling gaps under shrubs and around bulbs with a soft blue haze.

This guide covers what the forget-me-not flower means, the legend behind its name, the main types and how to grow and care for them. It also explains how to keep them from spreading too far and which look-alike plants share the name.

What Is a Forget-Me-Not Flower?

Forget-me-nots are flowering plants in the genus Myosotis, part of the borage family, Boraginaceae. There are around 70 to 100 species. They grow wild in Europe, Asia, North America and especially New Zealand, which has many native species found nowhere else.

What Forget-Me-Nots Look Like

Most forget-me-nots grow 6 to 12 inches tall. They have soft, hairy, oval leaves and loose sprays of tiny flowers with five rounded petals. The classic color is sky blue with a yellow or white eye, but pink and white forms are common too. Flower buds often open pink and turn blue as they age.

Where the Name Myosotis Comes From

Myosotis comes from two Greek words that mean mouse ear. It refers to the small, soft, fuzzy leaves of many species, which look a little like a mouse’s ear.

When Forget-Me-Nots Bloom

Most garden forget-me-nots bloom from early to late spring, often alongside tulips and daffodils. In cool climates, they can keep flowering into early summer. The water forget-me-not blooms later and longer, from late spring into summer.

Feature	Details
Botanical name	Myosotis species
Family	Boraginaceae (borage family)
Plant type	Biennial, short-lived perennial or annual
Height	6 to 12 inches
Flower color	Blue with a yellow eye, also pink and white
Bloom time	Spring to early summer
Light	Part shade, or sun in cool climates
Soil	Moist, rich, well drained
Hardiness	About Zones 3 to 9, depending on species

Forget-Me-Not Meaning and Symbolism

The forget-me-not stands for true love, loyalty and remembrance. Giving someone forget-me-nots says that you will hold them in your heart, whether you are apart for a while or for good.

Love and Loyalty

In the Victorian language of flowers, the forget-me-not meant true love and a hope to be remembered. Lovers who had to part often gave each other the flowers as a promise to stay faithful. Today, the flower still appears in wedding bouquets as a symbol of lasting love.

Remembrance and Memory

Because of its name, the forget-me-not is a natural symbol of memory. It is used at memorial services and on graves. Several charities that support people living with dementia use the flower in their logos, since it stands for remembering people as they are.

Meaning by Color

• Blue forget-me-nots: true love, loyalty and remembrance. This is the classic meaning.
• Pink forget-me-nots: gentle love and affection.
• White forget-me-nots: purity, innocence and pure love.

The Legend of the Forget-Me-Not

The best-known story behind the name comes from medieval Germany. A knight and his lady were walking along the banks of the Danube River. She saw some small blue flowers growing at the water’s edge and asked for them. The knight climbed down to pick them, but the weight of his armor dragged him into the river.

As he was swept away, he threw the flowers to her and called out, “Vergiss mein nicht,” which means “forget me not.” She wore the flowers in her hair for the rest of her life in his memory. The English name is a direct translation of the German.

Other Legends

There are other stories too. One tells of God naming all the plants in the Garden of Eden. A tiny blue flower could not remember its name and asked again. God answered, “Forget me not,” and that became its name. Another story says that the flower was a sign of loyalty because it kept growing even after being trampled.

The Forget-Me-Not in History

A Royal Emblem

In 1398, Henry of Bolingbroke, who later became King Henry IV of England, was sent into exile. Records suggest he adopted the forget-me-not as his emblem around this time, as a sign that he hoped to be remembered by his supporters. When he returned, he took the throne.

Alaska’s State Flower

The alpine forget-me-not, Myosotis alpestris, is the state flower of Alaska. It was chosen as the territorial flower in 1917 and kept as the state flower when Alaska joined the union in 1959. It grows in alpine meadows across the state and blooms in early summer.

Remembrance Around the World

The forget-me-not has been used as a remembrance flower in many places. In Newfoundland, it is worn in memory of soldiers lost in World War I. In Armenia, it has been used as a symbol of remembrance of the 1915 genocide. Across many countries, it appears on memorial cards and in funeral flowers.

Types of Forget-Me-Nots

Several species are grown in gardens. They look alike but differ in how long they live and where they like to grow.

Woodland Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis sylvatica)

This is the most common garden forget-me-not. It is a biennial or short-lived perennial that forms low mounds of leaves in its first year and flowers in its second spring. It self-sows freely. Popular varieties include ‘Victoria Blue’, ‘Royal Blue’, ‘Rosylva’ (pink) and ‘Snowsylva’ (white).

Water Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis scorpioides)

The water forget-me-not is a perennial that grows in wet soil and shallow water. It spreads by creeping stems and blooms from late spring into summer. It is useful at the edge of a pond, but it has escaped into wetlands across parts of North America and is listed as invasive in some states.

Alpine Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis alpestris)

A compact, very hardy species from mountain meadows, with deep blue flowers. It is the state flower of Alaska and suits rock gardens in cool climates.

Chinese Forget-Me-Not (Cynoglossum amabile)

Chinese forget-me-not is not a true Myosotis, but it is a close relative with very similar sky-blue flowers. It is an annual that handles heat better than true forget-me-nots, which makes it a good choice for warmer parts of the US.

False Forget-Me-Not (Brunnera macrophylla)

Brunnera, also called Siberian bugloss, has sprays of forget-me-not blue flowers over large, heart-shaped leaves. It is a long-lived perennial for shade. Varieties such as ‘Jack Frost’ have silver leaves that brighten dark corners all season.

How to Grow Forget-Me-Nots

Forget-me-nots are easy plants with simple needs. Give them cool roots, moisture and a little shade, and they will do the rest.

Light

Part shade is ideal, especially morning sun and afternoon shade. In cool northern gardens, they can take full sun as long as the soil stays moist. In hot climates, they need shade or they will fade quickly.

Soil

Forget-me-nots like rich, moist soil that drains well. Work in compost before sowing or planting. Water forget-me-nots are the exception, since they grow in wet soil or shallow water at a pond’s edge.

Hardiness

Woodland forget-me-not grows in about Zones 5 to 9. Water forget-me-not and alpine forget-me-not are hardier and grow in about Zones 3 to 8. In the hot, humid South, many gardeners treat forget-me-nots as cool-season annuals.

How to Sow Forget-Me-Not Seeds

Sowing seed is the cheapest and easiest way to grow forget-me-nots.

When to Sow

For woodland forget-me-nots, sow seeds outdoors in late summer or early fall. The seedlings grow into small rosettes before winter and flower the next spring. You can also sow in early spring, but plants may not flower until the following year.

How to Sow

1. Rake the soil smooth and water it lightly.
2. Scatter the seeds thinly over the surface.
3. Cover them with about 1/8 inch of fine soil. The seeds sprout best in darkness.
4. Keep the soil evenly moist. Seedlings appear in about 1 to 3 weeks at cool temperatures.
5. Thin seedlings to about 6 inches apart once they have a few true leaves.

Buying Plants

Garden centers sell forget-me-nots in spring, often in bloom. Plant them in early spring, alongside spring bulbs such as tulips and daffodils, and water them in well.

Forget-Me-Not Care

Watering

Keep the soil evenly moist, especially in spring and during dry spells. Forget-me-nots wilt quickly in dry soil. A layer of mulch helps hold moisture.

Feeding

Forget-me-nots need little feeding. Compost worked into the soil at planting is usually enough. Too much fertilizer can give you leafy plants with fewer flowers.

After Flowering

Once flowering ends, the plants often turn gray with powdery mildew and look tired. Pull them out after they have dropped some seed, and new seedlings will appear for next year. If you do not want them to spread, pull the plants as soon as the flowers fade, before the seeds ripen.

Common Problems

• Powdery mildew: a white coating on leaves late in the season. Give plants space and water at the base.
• Slugs and snails: they chew young plants in damp weather. Hand-pick them in the evening.
• Sticky seeds: the small seeds have hooks that cling to clothes and pet fur, which spreads them around the garden.

Are Forget-Me-Nots Invasive?

Woodland forget-me-nots self-sow freely, and in a cool, moist garden they can carpet the ground. Most gardeners like this, and unwanted seedlings are easy to pull. The bigger concern is the water forget-me-not. It has escaped into streams, ponds and wetlands in many parts of North America, where it can crowd out native plants. Some states list it as invasive or restrict its sale. Check your state’s invasive plant list before planting it near natural water.

Companion Plants for Forget-Me-Nots

Forget-me-nots shine as a carpet under taller spring flowers. Try them with:

• Tulips, especially pink, white and yellow ones.
• Daffodils, for a classic blue and yellow mix.
• Bleeding heart and ferns in a shady border.
• Columbines, which bloom at the same time. See our guide to growing columbine.
• Lily of the valley, the May birth flower, which loves the same cool shade.

For more ideas in the same color, see our list of true blue flowers.

Ways to Use Forget-Me-Nots

In Small Posies

Forget-me-not stems are short, but they make sweet little posies and fillers in small vases. Cut them in the morning and put them straight into water.

Pressed Flowers

The small, flat flowers press beautifully and keep their blue color well. Use them in cards, bookmarks and framed art. Our guide on how to dry and press flowers shows the method.

As a Gift of Remembrance

A packet of forget-me-not seeds makes a thoughtful gift after a loss. Many families hand them out at memorial services so guests can plant them at home.

Are Forget-Me-Nots Safe?

Garden forget-me-nots are not commonly listed as toxic to pets, but they are not meant to be eaten. Like many plants in the borage family, Myosotis contains small amounts of compounds that can harm the liver if eaten in large amounts over time. Enjoy them in the garden and in vases, and do not eat them or use them as a home remedy.

Forget-Me-Not FAQs

What does the forget-me-not flower mean?

The forget-me-not means true love, loyalty and remembrance. It has long been given between lovers who must part, and it is used at memorials to honor those who have died. Blue forget-me-nots carry the classic meaning, pink ones stand for gentle love and white ones for purity.

Why is it called a forget-me-not?

The name comes from a German legend. A knight picking the little blue flowers for his lady by the Danube fell into the river and was swept away. As he went under, he threw her the flowers and cried, “Forget me not.” The English name is a translation of the German Vergissmeinnicht.

Do forget-me-nots come back every year?

Most garden forget-me-nots are biennials or short-lived perennials, so each plant lives only a year or two. They self-sow so freely, though, that new seedlings appear each year. In practice, a patch often returns for many years without replanting.

When should I plant forget-me-not seeds?

Sow woodland forget-me-not seeds in late summer or early fall for flowers the next spring. Cover them lightly with soil and keep them moist. You can also sow in spring, but the plants may not flower until the following year.

Do forget-me-nots like sun or shade?

Forget-me-nots grow best in part shade with moist soil. Morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal. In cool climates they can take full sun if the soil stays moist, but in hot areas they need shade.

Are forget-me-nots invasive?

Woodland forget-me-nots self-sow freely but are easy to pull. The water forget-me-not, Myosotis scorpioides, is invasive in some North American wetlands and is restricted in some states. Check your local invasive plant list before planting it near ponds or streams.

What is the state flower of Alaska?

The state flower of Alaska is the alpine forget-me-not, Myosotis alpestris. It was adopted as the territorial flower in 1917 and became the state flower when Alaska gained statehood in 1959.