Jamaican forget-me-not (Browallia americana)

Also known as: Amethyst flower

Jamaican forget-me-not (Browallia americana) is a lively perennial that flourishes in warm climates. It is admired for its striking blue or violet star-shaped flowers, which often feature white centers. These blooms contrast beautifully with the plant's rich green leaves. Growing to a height of 12 to 18 inches, this plant does best in well-drained soil and partial shade. It's a popular choice for injecting color into borders and container gardens.

In This Article

Care Tips Water Sunlight Temperature Soil Fertilize Prune Propagation Repotting

Attributes of Jamaican forget-me-not

Lifespan

Annual

Plant Type

Herb

Plant Height

1-2 feet

Spread

Approximately 1 foot

Leaf Color

Green

Flower Size

About 1 inch

Flower Color

Blue

Images of Jamaican forget-me-not

Quickly Identify Jamaican forget-me-not

Browallia americana can be identified by its deep blue, star-shaped flowers and its lanceolate leaves arranged alternately on the stem. The plant typically grows to a height of 1-2 feet.

Scientific Classification of Jamaican forget-me-not

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Solanales

Family

Nightshade

Genus

Bush-violet

Species

Jamaican forget-me-not

Planting and Growing of Jamaican forget-me-not

Care Difficulty

Easy

Watering Schedule

Every 8 days

Sunlight Requirements

Partial sun

Sunshine Duration

6-10 hours

Ideal Temperature

65-80℉

Soil Type

Potting Mix, Peat Mix

Soil pH

6.5-7.5

Fertilizer Type

Balanced

Pruning Season

Spring, Summer

Pruning Area

Branches, Leaves

Pruning Frequency

2 times a year

Repotting Season

Spring

Pot Type

Plastic, Ceramic

How to Water Jamaican forget-me-not?

When watering Browallia americana, the aim is to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Pour approximately 150 ml of water each time, ensuring the water reaches the root level. Allow the top inch of the soil to dry out before rewatering.

What are the symptoms of an underwatered Jamaican forget-me-not? ›

What should I do if my Jamaican forget-me-not is not getting enough water? ›

What are the symptoms of an overwatered Jamaican forget-me-not? ›

How to save an overwatered Jamaican forget-me-not? ›

What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Jamaican forget-me-not?

Sunlight Requirements: Partial sun

Duration of light: 3 to 4 hours

Partial sunlight exposure is ideal for Browallia americana, supporting vigorous growth and abundant flowering. Proper light ensures robust plant health, enhancing both aesthetic value and vitality.

What is the best lighting for Browallia americana? ›

How to ensure Browallia americana gets the right amount of light? ›

What are the benefits of ideal lighting for Browallia americana? ›

What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Jamaican forget-me-not?

Ideal Temperature: 65 ~ 80℉

Browallia americana thrives best in an ideal temperature range of 65-80°F. This range supports optimal growth and vibrant flowering. Within this range, the plant is able to perform photosynthesis efficiently and maintain healthy physiological processes. Providing consistent temperatures within this range encourages robust development and prevents stress-related issues.

What Soil is Best for Jamaican forget-me-not?

Soil type: Loam, Sandy loam

Soil PH: 6.5 ~ 7.5

Browallia americana thrives in soil that is rich in organic matter and nutrients. This ensures robust growth and vibrant blooms. Regularly adding compost or well-decomposed manure can significantly enhance the soil quality, providing essential nutrients for optimal growth. This plant requires well-drained soil to prevent root rot. Ensuring good drainage facilitates root respiration and nutrient uptake, which are critical for maintaining plant health. Consider incorporating sand or fine gravel into the soil to improve drainage if necessary. While good drainage is important, loam or sandy loam soil with moderate moisture retention is ideal for preventing the soil from drying out too quickly. Mulching can help maintain soil moisture levels, which supports continuous nutrient uptake and healthy growth.

How to Fertilize Jamaican forget-me-not?

Fertilizer type: Balanced

Browallia americana, known for its vibrant blue and purple flowers, requires balanced fertilization to thrive. Use a liquid 20-20-20 balanced fertilizer at half the recommended strength. Over-fertilizing can lead to excessive growth at the expense of flowering.

How to Prune Jamaican forget-me-not?

Pruning Time: Spring, Summer

Begin by examining your Browallia americana for any dead, diseased, or damaged stems. Removing these not only improves the plant's appearance but also prevents the spread of disease and allows more nutrients to flow to the healthy parts of the plant. Cut back leggy growth to encourage a denser and bushier plant. Trim parallel to the stem just above a set of leaves, ensuring you're making clean cuts to help the plant redirect energy and foster new growth and more flowers. More About Pruning Techniques→

How to Propagate Jamaican forget-me-not plant?

Propagate Time: Spring,Early spring,Summer

Gather ripe seeds from mature Browallia americana plants. Ensure seeds are fully developed and healthy, avoiding any that are discolored or appear damaged.

Select healthy, non-flowering stems for cuttings. Cut a 4-6 inch section below a leaf node, ensuring the cut is clean and at a slight angle to maximize root development.

Sow seeds in prepared seed trays filled with a light, well-draining soil mixture. Lightly cover with soil and maintain consistent moisture levels until germination.

More About Propagating Techniques→

How to Repot Jamaican forget-me-not plant?

Repotting frequency: Every one or two years

Browallia americana signals its need for repotting through several signs: stunted growth, roots protruding from drainage holes, and soil that dries out too quickly. These indicators suggest your plant has outgrown its pot and is prime for a change. The best timing for repotting this vibrant tropical beauty is during the active growing periods of spring or summer, offering it optimal conditions to recover and thrive in a new pot.

When selecting a new pot for your Browallia americana, opt for one that is just a couple of inches larger in diameter than the current one. This ensures the roots have ample space to grow while preventing excess soil moisture that can lead to root rot. Ensure that the new container has adequate drainage holes. A breathable material like terracotta can help in managing moisture levels, promoting a healthier root environment.

For repotting Browallia americana, a well-draining potting mix is crucial. Aim for a balanced blend that retains some moisture but dries relatively quickly. This prevents water from sitting too long in the soil, which can cause root rot. Look for mixes with perlite or sand that ensure great aeration, replicating the plant's natural environment while supporting robust growth.