What they do
Phacelias provide abundant small flowers that can attract a wide range of pollinators.
Plant profile
Phacelias
Genus Phacelia
Phacelias are easygoing wildflowers in the genus Phacelia, known for their nectar-rich blooms that can bring lots of pollinator activity to gardens, schoolyards, and even containers.
Plant Type
Wildflowers (herbaceous perennials) > Phacelias
Aliases
Phacelia, bee plant
Native Range
Varies by species within the genus; many Phacelia species are native to North America.
Bloom window
Varies by species; often blooms from spring into summer, with some types continuing later if conditions are good.
OVERVIEW
About This Plant
Phacelias (Genus Phacelia) are easygoing wildflowers prized for their extended bloom period and significant nectar yield, making them accessible forage stops for a wide variety of native bees and other emerging insects. They serve as excellent ground-level plants for diversity, fitting well into sunny garden beds, borders, schoolyard patches, or containers where quick pollinator results are desired.
To maximize their value, plant Phacelias in well-drained soil and avoid all pesticides. Because the flowers bloom in clusters over time, they help sustain insect activity longer than many other small wildflowers. They are best utilized as visual bursts of color, complementing taller structural plants and drawing insects into the habitat patch.
Best role for pollinators
Adding quick, pollinator-friendly blooms to garden beds, school gardens, and containers—especially where you want lots of flower activity without fussy care.Overview image
FAST FACTS
Quick Details
Essential stats and requirements for quick reference.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Phacelia, bee plant |
| Bloom window | Varies by species; often blooms from spring into summer, with some types continuing later if conditions are good. |
| Typical height | Varies by species; often low to medium height in garden settings. |
| Pollinators supported | Bees, Butterflies, Flies |
| Light & moisture | Generally best in sun with evenly moist to moderately dry soil (depending on species). |
| Best roles for pollinators | Adding quick, pollinator-friendly blooms to garden beds, school gardens, and containers—especially where you want lots of flower activity without fussy care. |
SUMMARY
If You Remember Three Things
A quick scan of what they do, what they need, and the best first step.
What they need
Sun to part sun, decent drainage, and a little attention while young plants get established.
One best action
Plant a small patch (or a pot) and let it bloom without pesticide use.
IMPACT
Why Plant This?
Phacelias are a practical way to add pollinator-friendly flowers to everyday spaces. Their many small blooms can draw frequent visits, making them a great choice for learning, observing, and building a simple habitat patch.
Some phacelias bloom along a curled flower stalk, opening a few flowers at a time—so the plant can look like it’s “unfurling” as it blooms.
Key Impacts
What it Supports
- Many phacelias produce lots of small blooms, which can keep pollinators visiting for longer stretches.
- They can be an easy way to add pollinator-friendly flowers to a new or existing garden.
- They fit well into “small step” plantings—beds, borders, and containers.
RECOGNITION
Identification Guide
Phacelias can look different from species to species, but a few traits show up often.
Leaves
Often soft or fuzzy; shape varies by species, from simple to more divided or lacy-looking.
Flowers
Small, five-lobed blooms in clusters; commonly blue to purple, sometimes pale or white; clusters may appear curled before opening.
Fruits
Small, dry seed capsules typical of many wildflowers; best noticed after flowering.
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LOCATION
Where It Grows
Native environments and the best spots to place it in your landscape.
Habitats
- Open, sunny areas
- Meadows and grassland edges
- Disturbed soils and open ground (varies by species)
Where it is often used
- Pollinator patch in a sunny corner
- Mixed wildflower bed or border
- School garden habitat strip
- Container planting for patios or small spaces
- Filling gaps between larger perennials
SEASONALITY
When It Blooms
Notes on bloom windows and how this plant helps pollinators across the seasons.
Bloom window
Bloom timing depends on which Phacelia you grow and when it’s planted.
Bloom Season Role: Fills in with clusters of small flowers that offer steady foraging as they open over time.
Seasonal benefits
- Provides fresh blooms as clusters continue opening
- Pairs well with other wildflowers to extend the overall flowering season
REQUIREMENTS
What It Needs
The right mix of sun, soil, and space for healthy growth.
Sun exposure
Full sun is usually best for strong flowering; part sun can work, especially in hot, exposed spots.
Soil type
Average garden soil with good drainage; avoid consistently soggy ground.
Moisture needs
Water regularly at first; once established, water when the top soil dries, especially in containers.
Planting method
Sow seed on prepared soil and press in lightly; keep the surface from drying until seedlings are up. For transplants, plant at the same depth as the pot.
Mulching tips
Use a light mulch around (not on top of) young plants to reduce weeds and hold moisture; keep stems uncovered.
GARDENING GUIDE
How to Grow It
Simple steps to plant, prune, and maintain healthy trees without pesticides.
Planting tips
- Choose a sunny spot (or a large pot with drainage holes).
- Loosen the soil and remove weeds; mix in a little compost if the soil is very poor.
- Sow seed thinly and press it into the soil surface; cover very lightly if needed.
- Water gently and keep the surface evenly moist until seedlings are established.
- Thin crowded seedlings so plants have room to branch and bloom.
Seasonal care
- Weed lightly while plants are small so they aren’t crowded out.
- Water during long dry spells, especially for container plantings.
- Deadhead for tidiness, or leave some seedheads if you want natural reseeding.
- Avoid pesticides on or near blooms; use hand-picking, barriers, or water sprays for pests when possible.
- Cut back spent plants when they finish flowering if you prefer a tidy look.
What not to do
- Letting newly sown seed dry out before it sprouts
- Planting in heavy, wet soil
- Overcrowding seedlings
- Spraying for pests while plants are flowering
Pairings
Best Pairings for Season-Long Bloom
Pairing ideas to keep pollinators fed throughout the growing season.
Early Bloom
- Spring bulbs (in nearby areas)
- Early-blooming native or garden wildflowers
Mid-Season Bloom
- Coneflowers
- Black-eyed Susans
- Bee balm
Late-Season Bloom
- Asters
- Goldenrods
- Late-blooming salvias
Because “phacelia” can mean many different species, check the label for the specific Phacelia type you’re buying so you can match it to your space and expectations for height and bloom timing.
GLOSSARY
Key Terms
A few helpful terms you might see on seed packets or plant tags:
Glossary terms are being added.
What You Can Do
Make a difference for native habitats.
Turn this knowledge into action. Whether you plant a single pot or a whole garden, you are building a vital bridge for local biodiversity.
Join the movement to restore our shared habitats.
Pollinators supported
Species that benefit from this plant
Bee flies
Adults visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms; their presence is a sign of diverse, functioning habitats.
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Brushfoots
Many brushfoots move pollen between flowers as they feed, and their caterpillars are part of healthy food webs.
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Bumble bees
Bumble bees are important pollinators of many wildflowers and garden plants, helping ecosystems and food crops reproduce.
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Clearwing moths
Adults can move pollen between blooms, and their presence can signal how healthy local plant communities are.
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Digger bees
They move pollen between flowers while feeding, helping wild plants and many garden plants set seed and fruit.
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Flower flies / hoverflies
Adults visit flowers for nectar and pollen, and many species’ larvae help keep plant-eating pests in check.
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Hawk / sphinx moths
They can move pollen between flowers while feeding on nectar, especially for blooms that open or scent up in the evening.
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Hummingbirds
They move pollen between flowers while feeding, helping many plants reproduce.
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Leafcutter bees
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
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Long-horned bees
They move pollen between flowers as they feed, supporting seed and fruit set in many wild plants and some crops.
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Long-nosed bats
They move pollen between flowers over long distances, helping some plants set fruit and seed.
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Mason bees
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden crops set seed and fruit.
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Mining bees
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
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Nectar-feeding bats
They move pollen between flowers over long distances and help many plants set fruit and seed.
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Paper wasps
They can move pollen while drinking nectar, and they also help control many plant-eating insects.
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Silkmoths (giant moths)
They’re part of healthy food webs and plant communities, and their caterpillars depend on a wide range of native trees and shrubs.
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Skippers
Skippers visit many flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms while they feed.
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Small nectar moths (micro-moths)
Many small moths move pollen while feeding on nectar, supporting wild plants and garden blooms—especially in the evening and at night.
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Soldier beetles
Many adults visit flowers and can move pollen between blooms, while also helping control some garden pests.
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Soldier flies
Many adults visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms while feeding.
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Swallowtails
Adult swallowtails visit many flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
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Sweat bees
They help move pollen between flowers in gardens, parks, and natural areas, supporting seed and fruit production.
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Whites & sulphurs
They visit a wide range of flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
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Regions
Where this plant is native
California Deserts & Southern Nevada (Mojave)
The Mojave is a warm-desert region where life is shaped by limited water, intense sun, and big temperature swings.
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Lower Mainland & Puget Lowland
The Lower Mainland & Puget Lowland is a busy, people-centered coastal lowland with rivers, shorelines, and patches of forest and meadow.
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