*Lithodora diffusa* is a hardy, evergreen ground cover plant. It's part of the *Lithospermum* genus of the *Boraginaceae* family and grows well in [USDA zones](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-planting-zones) six to ten. Lithodora is a native Mediterranean plant and doesn't grow as well in very hot regions. It requires full or partial sunlight in colder climates and partial shade in warmer areas. 
Mature plants have thin green leaves year-round. Most varieties produce large numbers of tubular, heavenly blue flowers with five star-shaped petals. The bloom time starts at the end of spring and runs throughout the summer. Lithodora is ideal for gardeners who want to create a landscape with showy perennial plants, and it's perfect for filling gaps in [rock gardens](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/rock-garden-ideas-and-design-guide) and along the edges of flowerbeds.

Lithodora plants are low-growing, reaching a maximum height of around ten inches. However, each plant can spread up to thirty-six inches, providing easy-to-maintain coverage with loosely entwined foliage. 

- __Start with cuttings__. You can easily grow new lithodora plants from two to three-inch cuttings taken in the summer growing season. Select a healthy plant to take cuttings from, and choose younger green shoots as they'll thrive better than woody, brown stems. 
- __Choose the right soil__. Lithodora generally grows best in [acidic, sandy soil](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/acid-loving-plants), although some varieties grow well in alkaline soil. Ideally, the soil should be moderately rich and have ample drainage. Avoid planting lithodora in clay soil, as it’s known to hold a large amount of water which can kill groundcover and negatively affect the health of the lithodora’s roots. 
- __Plant the cuttings__. Once you've taken a cutting, you can remove the leaves from the bottom half of the stem and apply a rooting compound to the cut end. Planting the cuttings in equal parts peat moss and perlite, leaving the leafy part exposed, and moistening the soil slightly is usually the best way to ensure your cutting survives and grows into a healthy plant.
- __Keep the cuttings in a warm, moist environment__. When propagating lithodora cuttings, use a greenhouse. If you don't have one, you can cover the pots in a transparent plastic bag to protect the cuttings and allow some sunlight in, keeping in mind that placing the plant in full sun may dry out the plant and prevent it from propagating properly. Keeping the soil moist but not wet while you wait for roots to develop is usually best, and it can be useful to test the soil moisture to avoid overwatering. 
- __Repot the cuttings__. Once the cuttings have roots, you can safely transfer each cutting to its own small seedling pot, and place them back in the greenhouse for around a month.
- __Move your lithodora plants outside__. You can plant your lithodora plants in your garden after exposing them to the elements for a couple of weeks. Ensure that anywhere you plant them has the correct soil type and light conditions for your chosen variety.
- __Water regularly.__ Lithodora plants have relatively high water needs and don't do well in dry soil, although you should avoid overwatering them. Generally, it's best to aim for moist but not wet soil, as waterlogging could lead to root rot. 
- __Remove weeds__. It's important to keep the area around your lithodora plants weed-free because weeds will compete with your plants for light and nutrients. Inspect your garden regularly and hand-pull weeds as soon as you notice them. You can also use a selective weed killer to deal with a more serious weed problem. However, you should avoid using nonselective herbicides, as they could kill your other plants. 
Spring is the best time to prune your lithodora plants, but you can also cut them back in late summer when they’ve finished flowering to stop them from growing too large. Avoid cutting away more than a third of each plant, as over-pruning can cause them to die. Use sharp pruning shears and clean them thoroughly before use to avoid spreading disease or pests between plants. Take care to remove any straggly, blackened, or diseased areas to keep the plants healthy. 

Many lithodora plants grow quite well without fertilizer, although it can help rejuvenate your plant if it looks yellow or unhealthy. You can apply a light, slow-release fertilizer for acidic soil over the winter and early spring. You could also consider adding manure or compost to enrich the soil. 
If you live in a USDA hardiness zone five or colder, your lithodora plants may struggle in the winter. You can help them cope by [mulching](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-mulch-your-vegetable-garden) the soil around your plants in the fall to protect them from low temperatures later in the year. 

Although Lithodora plants are reasonably resistant to pests, you can treat them with insecticidal soap or hot pepper wax if you notice common pests, such as [aphids](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-get-rid-of-aphids) and whitefly. Occasionally, lithodora plants can develop an infection known as bacterial leaf spot that causes yellow-edged patches, sometimes with a red center.
Bacterial leaf spots can quickly spread to other plants, so pull up and dispose of any affected plants as soon as you notice signs of infection. You can reduce the risk of bacterial leaf spot by watering your plants as close to the soil as possible and avoiding getting the leaves and stems wet. 

Grow your own garden with Ron Finley, the self-described "Gangster Gardener." Get the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com/) and learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep your house plants alive, and use compost to make your community—and the world—a better place.
Lithodora is a perennial ornamental garden plant that's easy to grow and care for, making it a popular low-maintenance option for flower beds and planters. Learn how to propagate lithodora plants from cuttings and keep your plants healthy.

Lithodora is a perennial ornamental garden plant that's easy to grow and care for, making it a popular low-maintenance option for flower beds and planters. Learn how to propagate lithodora plants from cuttings and keep your plants healthy.

 Lithodora Plants: How to Grow Lithodora

Lithodora diffusa is a hardy, evergreen ground cover plant. It&#39;s part of the Lithospermum genus of the Boraginaceae family and grows well in <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-planting-zones' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-planting-zones","linkCopy":"USDA zones","category":null}'>USDA zones</a> six to ten. Lithodora is a native Mediterranean plant and doesn&#39;t grow as well in very hot regions. It requires full or partial sunlight in colder climates and partial shade in warmer areas. Mature plants have thin green leaves year-round. Most varieties produce large numbers of tubular, heavenly blue flowers with five star-shaped petals. The bloom time starts at the end of spring and runs throughout the summer. Lithodora is ideal for gardeners who want to create a landscape with showy perennial plants, and it&#39;s perfect for filling gaps in <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/rock-garden-ideas-and-design-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/rock-garden-ideas-and-design-guide","linkCopy":"rock gardens","category":null}'>rock gardens</a> and along the edges of flowerbeds.

What Is Lithodora?

Lithodora plants are low-growing, reaching a maximum height of around ten inches. However, each plant can spread up to thirty-six inches, providing easy-to-maintain coverage with loosely entwined foliage. <ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">Start with cuttings. You can easily grow new lithodora plants from two to three-inch cuttings taken in the summer growing season. Select a healthy plant to take cuttings from, and choose younger green shoots as they&#39;ll thrive better than woody, brown stems. </li><li class="">Choose the right soil. Lithodora generally grows best in <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/acid-loving-plants' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/acid-loving-plants","linkCopy":"acidic, sandy soil","category":null}'>acidic, sandy soil</a>, although some varieties grow well in alkaline soil. Ideally, the soil should be moderately rich and have ample drainage. Avoid planting lithodora in clay soil, as it’s known to hold a large amount of water which can kill groundcover and negatively affect the health of the lithodora’s roots. </li><li class="">Plant the cuttings. Once you&#39;ve taken a cutting, you can remove the leaves from the bottom half of the stem and apply a rooting compound to the cut end. Planting the cuttings in equal parts peat moss and perlite, leaving the leafy part exposed, and moistening the soil slightly is usually the best way to ensure your cutting survives and grows into a healthy plant. </li><li class="">Keep the cuttings in a warm, moist environment. When propagating lithodora cuttings, use a greenhouse. If you don&#39;t have one, you can cover the pots in a transparent plastic bag to protect the cuttings and allow some sunlight in, keeping in mind that placing the plant in full sun may dry out the plant and prevent it from propagating properly. Keeping the soil moist but not wet while you wait for roots to develop is usually best, and it can be useful to test the soil moisture to avoid overwatering. </li><li class="">Repot the cuttings. Once the cuttings have roots, you can safely transfer each cutting to its own small seedling pot, and place them back in the greenhouse for around a month. </li><li class="">Move your lithodora plants outside. You can plant your lithodora plants in your garden after exposing them to the elements for a couple of weeks. Ensure that anywhere you plant them has the correct soil type and light conditions for your chosen variety. </li><li class="">Water regularly. Lithodora plants have relatively high water needs and don&#39;t do well in dry soil, although you should avoid overwatering them. Generally, it&#39;s best to aim for moist but not wet soil, as waterlogging could lead to root rot. </li><li class="">Remove weeds. It&#39;s important to keep the area around your lithodora plants weed-free because weeds will compete with your plants for light and nutrients. Inspect your garden regularly and hand-pull weeds as soon as you notice them. You can also use a selective weed killer to deal with a more serious weed problem. However, you should avoid using nonselective herbicides, as they could kill your other plants. </li></ul>

How to Grow and Care for Lithodora Plants

Spring is the best time to prune your lithodora plants, but you can also cut them back in late summer when they’ve finished flowering to stop them from growing too large. Avoid cutting away more than a third of each plant, as over-pruning can cause them to die. Use sharp pruning shears and clean them thoroughly before use to avoid spreading disease or pests between plants. Take care to remove any straggly, blackened, or diseased areas to keep the plants healthy.

How to Prune Lithodora Plants

Many lithodora plants grow quite well without fertilizer, although it can help rejuvenate your plant if it looks yellow or unhealthy. You can apply a light, slow-release fertilizer for acidic soil over the winter and early spring. You could also consider adding manure or compost to enrich the soil. If you live in a USDA hardiness zone five or colder, your lithodora plants may struggle in the winter. You can help them cope by <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-mulch-your-vegetable-garden' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-mulch-your-vegetable-garden","linkCopy":"mulching","category":null}'>mulching</a> the soil around your plants in the fall to protect them from low temperatures later in the year.

Do Lithodora Plants Need Fertilizer or Mulch?

Although Lithodora plants are reasonably resistant to pests, you can treat them with insecticidal soap or hot pepper wax if you notice common pests, such as <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-get-rid-of-aphids' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-get-rid-of-aphids","linkCopy":"aphids","category":null}'>aphids</a> and whitefly. Occasionally, lithodora plants can develop an infection known as bacterial leaf spot that causes yellow-edged patches, sometimes with a red center. Bacterial leaf spots can quickly spread to other plants, so pull up and dispose of any affected plants as soon as you notice signs of infection. You can reduce the risk of bacterial leaf spot by watering your plants as close to the soil as possible and avoiding getting the leaves and stems wet.

Lithodora Pest Control

Grow your own garden with Ron Finley, the self-described &quot;Gangster Gardener.&quot; Get the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a> and learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep your house plants alive, and use compost to make your community—and the world—a better place.

Learn More

Lithodora is a perennial ornamental garden plant that&#39;s easy to grow and care for, making it a popular low-maintenance option for flower beds and planters. Learn how to propagate lithodora plants from cuttings and keep your plants healthy.

Lithodora is a perennial ornamental garden plant that's easy to grow and care for, making it a popular low-maintenance option for flower beds and planters. Learn how to propagate lithodora plants from cuttings and keep your plants healthy.
