Skip to content
Native Plants Anywhere

Caterpillar phacelia

Phacelia cicutaria

Caterpillar phacelia
Photo: (c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY) · iNaturalist

About Caterpillar phacelia

Caterpillar phacelia is a charming native wildflower that brings real life to your garden. The delicate, curled flower clusters look just like fuzzy caterpillars, which is how it got its name. Bees and other beneficial insects absolutely love these blooms, making it a wonderful choice if you want to support pollinators and help nature thrive right at home. The flowers are pretty too, with soft colors that brighten up any garden bed or natural area.

This annual herb is refreshingly easy to grow. Plant seeds in fall or early spring, depending on where you live, and let them do their thing. Caterpillar phacelia isn't fussy about soil and actually prefers it on the lean side. Once established, it takes care of itself with minimal water needs. Simply let it bloom, enjoy the visiting insects, and watch it reseed naturally for years to come.

Native to 8 states