Flower Library
Forget-Me-Not
Myosotis · Boraginaceae
Forget-me-not is Europe's most romantic small flower. Heavenly light blue (sometimes pink, rarely white), tiny star blooms in loose clusters. Symbolism as strong as the name: remembrance, bond, not forgotten.
- Season
- April – May – June
- Vase life
- 4–7 days
- Latin name
- Myosotis
- Colors
- Blue, Pink, White
Season April to June. Cut-flower availability rather rare since stems are short and the plant fragile — more a garden plant and dried flower.
In bridal bouquets popular as fulfilment of the 'something blue' criterion. Also in funeral floristry as symbol of not forgetting.
In gardens, forget-me-nots self-seed. Sow once and you have them for years.
Is Forget-Me-Not toxic to children and pets?
- Children
- Non-toxic
- Cats
- Non-toxic
- Dogs
- Non-toxic
Forget-me-not (Myosotis) is classified as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA. Its pyrrolizidine alkaloid content is very low and harmless; only the closely related Chinese forget-me-not (Cynoglossum) should be avoided.
Overview: toxic & non-toxic plants for cats, dogs and children
Care
- 01Cut carefully — fragile stems.
- 02Shallow water.
- 03Keep very cool.
- 04Vase life short, mostly used as accent in mixed bouquets.
Frequently asked
- Where does the name 'forget-me-not' come from?
- From a medieval legend — a knight picked them for his beloved, fell into water, and as he drowned called 'forget me not!'. The flower has carried the name since.
- Where can I find forget-me-nots in Düsseldorf?
- In the Hofgarten, along the Rhine, in backyard gardens. Widespread April-May. As cut flowers from us on pre-order.
- Are forget-me-nots toxic to cats or dogs?
- No. True forget-me-not (Myosotis) is classified as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA. The plant contains only trace amounts of alkaloids — you'd need to eat huge quantities for it to be a problem. As with any plant material, too much can still upset the stomach.
- How long do forget-me-nots last in a vase?
- About 4 to 7 days. The fragile stems are sensitive, so use shallow water, keep them very cool, and ideally use them as an accent in a mixed bouquet rather than on their own.