Skip to content

Common Heliotrope

Heliotropium Arborescens

Design with this plant

Overview

Heliotropium arborescens, the Common Heliotrope, is a fragrant perennial often grown as an annual. It reaches a height of 12-18 inches and spreads about the same. Preferring full sun to partial shade, it blooms clusters of tiny, violet or white flowers from spring to fall. Thrives in well-drained soil, adding sweet vanilla scent and vibrant color to borders or containers. USDA zones 10-11; protect from frost.

Sun Full, HalfWater Extra in Summer, MediumZones 10–11
Common Heliotrope (Heliotropium Arborescens) — Heliotropium arborescens, the Common Heliotrope, is a fragrant perennial often grown as an annual

Culture

Sun
Full, Half
Water
Extra in Summer, Medium
USDA zones
10–11

Shape & size

Classification

Family
Boraginaceae

See full data, regional cultivation notes, full-resolution photos, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (115)

Common Heliotrope (Heliotropium Arborescens) — USDA zones 10-11; protect from frost; heliotropium arborescens, the Common Heliotrope, is a fragrant, image 67
Common Heliotrope (Heliotropium Arborescens) — <br><br>For optimal growth; famed for its sweet vanilla-like scent, image 77
Common Heliotrope (Heliotropium Arborescens) — typically about 2-4 inches long; and consistent moisture is key, image 74
Common Heliotrope (Heliotropium Arborescens) — which may bloom from late spring until the first frost; it reaches a height of 12-18 inches and, image 76
Common Heliotrope (Heliotropium Arborescens) — They thrive in well-drained; shrub with lavender blooms, image 80
Common Heliotrope (Heliotropium Arborescens) — especially in hotter regions; consider placement near areas where their fragrance can be appreciated, image 79
Common Heliotrope (Heliotropium Arborescens) — Heliotropes prefer a sunny location with partial afternoon shade, image 78
Common Heliotrope (Heliotropium Arborescens) — lavender to deep purple flowers; especially around children and pets, image 75
Common Heliotrope (Heliotropium Arborescens) — consider placement near areas where their fragrance can be appreciated; preferring full sun to, image 85
Common Heliotrope (Heliotropium Arborescens) — that all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested and should be handled with care; especially in, image 87
Common Heliotrope (Heliotropium Arborescens) — Their pollinator-friendly blooms attract bees and butterflies, contributing to the biodiversity of, image 86
Common Heliotrope (Heliotropium Arborescens) — making them ideal for USDA zones 9b through 11.<br><br>When incorporating Heliotropes into landscape, image 84
Common Heliotrope (Heliotropium Arborescens) — These plants enjoy warmer temperatures and should be protected from frost; though care should be, image 83
Common Heliotrope (Heliotropium Arborescens) — though care should be taken to avoid waterlogging; lavender to deep purple flowers, image 82
Common Heliotrope (Heliotropium Arborescens) — and consistent moisture is key; common Heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens) <br><br>The Common, image 81
Common Heliotrope (Heliotropium Arborescens) — lavender flowers in the garden; which may bloom from late spring until the first frost, image 91
Common Heliotrope (Heliotropium Arborescens) — Common Heliotropes are sure to provide both visual and olfactory pleasure in any garden setting, image 90
Common Heliotrope (Heliotropium Arborescens) — especially around children and pets; their pollinator-friendly blooms attract bees and butterflies, image 88
Common Heliotrope (Heliotropium Arborescens) — shrub with lavender blooms; these plants enjoy warmer temperatures and should be protected from frost, image 92
Common Heliotrope (Heliotropium Arborescens) — shrub for full or half; common Heliotropes are sure to provide both visual and olfactory pleasure in, image 93
Common Heliotrope (Heliotropium Arborescens) — Heliotropium arborescens, the Common Heliotrope, is a fragrant perennial often grown as an annual, image 94
Common Heliotrope (Heliotropium Arborescens) — It reaches a height of 12-18 inches and spreads about the same; reaches 1-3 feet in height and, image 95
Common Heliotrope (Heliotropium Arborescens) — Preferring full sun to partial shade, it blooms clusters of tiny, violet or white flowers from, image 96
Common Heliotrope (Heliotropium Arborescens) — <br><br>With their captivating aroma and vibrant coloration; shrub for full or half, image 89

Related plants

Tower Of Jewels (Echium Wildpretii) — the captivating Tower of Jewels

Tower Of Jewels

Echium Wildpretii

Full · Zones 9–11

Siberian Bugloss (Brunnera Macrophylla) — Remarkable for its foliage texture, it's ideal for woodland gardens and as a groundcover

Siberian Bugloss

Brunnera Macrophylla

Deep Shade · Zones 2–10

Lavender Heliotrope (Heliotropium) — The Heliotropium 'Lavender' is a mounded annual with green foliage and clusters of lavender-purple flowers

Lavender Heliotrope

Heliotropium

Tansy Leafed Phacelia (Phacelia Tanacetifolia) — Phacelia tanacetifolia, known as Tansy-leafed Phacelia, is an annual herbaceous plant

Tansy Leafed Phacelia

Phacelia Tanacetifolia

Full · Zones 9–11

'Spot On' Lungwort (Pulmonaria hybrid) — It grows 14-16 inches tall and 18-20 inches wide

'Spot On' Lungwort

Pulmonaria hybrid

Little-Leaf Cordia (Cordia Parvifolia) — The Little-Leaf Cordia (Cordia parvifolia) is a resilient

Little-Leaf Cordia

Cordia Parvifolia

Full · Zones 8–11