Lacy phacelia

Phacelia tanacetifolia

Pollinator Plant
Drought Tolerant
Heat Tolerant

Pet & Human Safety

People: No hazard foundPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

Not applicable; this is an ornamental plant.

Hazard type

NC State's Plant Toolbox has no human poison section. This is not a statement that the plant is safe to eat.

Hazard route

none named by our sources

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

The pet verdict rests on the sources named in the source line. ASPCA (searched species and common names): no page. NC State: no tags.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Other plants with a similar name or look. To tell them apart: Match on the scientific name, Phacelia tanacetifolia, not on the common name.. "Fiddleneck" is also the common name of a different group of plants, Amsinckia, which ASPCA lists as toxic to horses (liver disease). Do not match this plant to that entry by name. NC State also says lacy phacelia is often confused with Phacelia purshii. Check by scientific name: Phacelia tanacetifolia.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

Get the app: coming soon

Care

Hardiness zones: NC State lists no USDA zone attribute; its description says only that the plant is winter hardy to 18 degrees F.
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Water needs: low
Mature size: 1 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 3 feet wide (NC State Extension)

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

Get the app: coming soon