Columbine
Aquilegia
Showy, nectar-rich herbaceous perennials with nodding, spurred flowers in many colors; shade-tolerant, often self-seeding and suited to temperate garden borders and wildflower beds.
Caution: Toxic to Pets
Toxicity: mildly toxic
All plant parts contain compounds that can cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested by pets or children; handle with care and keep away from curious animals.
🌱Care Requirements
Light
Grow columbine in bright light with morning sun and afternoon shade in hot climates. In cool summers full sun is acceptable; avoid deep shade which reduces bloom. Indoors, place near an east or west window with filtered light and no scorching afternoon sun.
Water
Keep soil evenly moist but never waterlogged. Water thoroughly when the top 2–3 cm (about 1 inch) of soil dries; frequency varies by pot size and weather. Use well-draining mix and water at the soil level to avoid wetting foliage which can encourage disease.
Humidity
Columbines prefer average outdoor humidity. Indoors, avoid very dry air by using a pebble tray or grouping plants. High humidity plus poor airflow can encourage mildew, so ensure ventilation and avoid constant leaf wetness.
Temperature
Best growth around 10–24°C (50–75°F). Tolerates winter dormancy down to about −25°C (−13°F) and begins to decline above 30°C (86°F); provide afternoon shade in hot regions.
🔧Common Problems & Solutions
Yellowing or wilting leaves; stunted growth
Cause: Irregular watering—either drought stress or waterlogged roots reducing oxygen
Solution: Check soil moisture, adjust to keep evenly moist and improve drainage; repot if rootbound or soggy. Mulch to retain moisture but avoid piling at crown.
Powdery mildew or leaf spots on foliage
Cause: High humidity, poor air circulation, overhead watering and warm conditions
Solution: Remove affected leaves, improve spacing and airflow, water at soil level, apply fungicide if severe.
Leaf miner or chewing insect damage
Cause: Pests such as leaf miners, aphids or flea beetles feeding on foliage
Solution: Remove damaged leaves, use insecticidal soap or neem for soft-bodied pests, and introduce beneficial insects; monitor regularly.
Crown or root rot, collapsed plants
Cause: Prolonged waterlogging or heavy clay soil that keeps roots saturated
Solution: Improve drainage, repot into fast-draining mix, reduce watering and remove rotten tissue; severely affected plants may not recover.
✂️How to Propagate Columbine
From seed: sow fresh seed in autumn outdoors or stratify 4–6 weeks cold then sow in spring on the surface of a moist, well-draining mix; keep cool and moist until germination. From division: lift mature clumps in early spring or fall, separate crowns with roots attached and replant at the same depth with good soil contact; water in well.
🌍Origin & Background
Family: Ranunculaceae
Native to: Temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, especially Europe and North America.
Natural Habitat: Occurs in cool woodlands, meadows and rocky slopes with well-draining soils. Prefers partial shade, moderate moisture and cool nights; often found at forest edges and upland meadows.
🗓Seasonal Care Guide
Winter
After frost, cut back dead foliage and apply a light mulch to protect crowns in very cold zones. Plants are dormant; water sparingly to avoid rot.
Spring
Reduce mulch, remove winter debris, feed with a balanced slow-release fertilizer at emergence and maintain even moisture as new shoots form and buds develop.
Summer
Provide afternoon shade in hot regions, deadhead spent flowers to encourage further blooms, keep soil evenly moist and monitor for pests and mildew.
Fall
Allow some seedheads to form if you want self-seeding; cut back foliage after the first hard frost and apply mulch to protect roots over winter.
❓Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I water columbine?
Water when the top 2–3 cm (1 inch) of soil is dry, generally every 3–10 days depending on weather and pot size.
Will columbine come back every year?
Yes, columbine is a short-lived perennial that typically returns each year, often self-seeding to maintain populations.
Can I grow columbine in full sun?
Yes in cool climates full sun is fine, but in hot regions provide afternoon shade to prevent stress and leaf scorch.
How do I propagate columbine?
Propagate by seed (cold-stratify or sow in fall) or divide mature clumps in spring or fall; division ensures true-to-type plants.
Why aren’t my columbines flowering?
Causes include too much shade, nutrient imbalance, or stress from irregular watering; improve light and consistent care to encourage blooms.
Turn These Tips into Daily Plant Chats
Get watering reminders, humidity alerts, and adorable updates straight from your Columbine. TextMyPlant keeps you on schedule so your plants always look their best.
Start chatting with your plants🌿Related Plant Guides
Tulip
BeginnerTulipa
Spring-flowering bulbous perennials with showy cup-shaped flowers in many colors; grown from bulbs, prefer full sun and well-drained soil, and require a cold dormant period to bloom.
Common yarrow
BeginnerAchillea millefolium
Hardy, low-maintenance perennial herb with feathery leaves and flat clusters of tiny flowers; tolerates poor soils, drought, and full sun.
Baby's-breath
BeginnerGypsophila
Genus of herbaceous flowering plants (baby's-breath) grown for airy clusters of tiny white or pink flowers; prefers full sun and well‑drained, neutral to alkaline soil.
Common hyacinth (Dutch hyacinth)
BeginnerHyacinthus orientalis
Fragrant spring-blooming bulbous perennial with dense spikes of bell-shaped flowers in various colors; commonly grown in gardens and containers; hardy in temperate climates.
Last updated: 11/7/2025