Blue Flax
Linum lewisii
Delicate sky-blue flowers open fresh each morning on wiry stems, reseeding generously to return year after year.
A cold-hardy short-lived native (USDA zones 5-9) grown as a cool-season annual in the low desert; fall-sown for spring bloom, it reseeds to persist and tolerates mid- to high-desert cold.
AMWUA Notes
A low-water native that self-sows into dependable drifts of sky-blue spring color with minimal care.
Care Guide
Water every 1-2 weeks in the cool season; drought tolerant once established, this native performs on modest moisture with good drainage.
Little needed — each flower lasts a day but they come in profusion; shear lightly if it gets floppy, and leave seed heads to reseed.
None needed; lean native soil keeps the wiry stems upright.
Trouble-free.
A short-lived native perennial usually grown as a cool-season annual in the low desert; sow in fall for spring bloom, and it reseeds so reliably it seems to return each year.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Lean, well-drained sandy or gravelly native soils; drought-tolerant once established; poor soil keeps the wiry stems upright.
Needs well-drained soil.
None — thrives in lean desert soil without fertilizer.
Seed; direct-sow in fall (cool-season). It reseeds so freely it appears to return each year; deep-rooted and transplants poorly.
2 ft
Deep-rooted and best direct-sown; reseeds dependably into self-sustaining drifts.
Placement Tips
- •Mass for a soft haze of sky-blue that mixes beautifully with warm-toned poppies and daisies.
- •Sow directly in fall; it reseeds so freely that it naturalizes into a self-sustaining drift.
- •Combine with sturdier plants that support its fine, airy stems.
- •Full sun and good drainage; a graceful filler in native and mixed borders.
Features
Best Uses
Ecological Value
Attracts
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
Love Blue Flax? Our landscape team sources from wholesale nurseries and can incorporate it into your design.
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Use this care guide to maintain your Blue Flax. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Blue Flax — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Blue Flax need in Phoenix?
Blue Flax is a moderate-water annual once established. Water every 1-2 weeks in the cool season; drought tolerant once established, this native performs on modest moisture with good drainage. A low-water native that self-sows into dependable drifts of sky-blue spring color with minimal care.
How big does Blue Flax get?
Expect roughly 2 ft tall and 2 ft wide at maturity, with a moderate growth rate. Allow about 2 ft of spacing when planting. Deep-rooted and best direct-sown; reseeds dependably into self-sustaining drifts.
Can you plant Blue Flax near a pool?
Yes. Blue Flax is considered pool-friendly, meaning it stays clean enough around water features and hardscape. Litter is rated low.
Can Blue Flax handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Blue Flax is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. A cold-hardy short-lived native (USDA zones 5-9) grown as a cool-season annual in the low desert; fall-sown for spring bloom, it reseeds to persist and tolerates mid- to high-desert cold. A short-lived native perennial usually grown as a cool-season annual in the low desert; sow in fall for spring bloom, and it reseeds so reliably it seems to return each year.
Does Blue Flax have thorns?
No. Blue Flax is thornless, so it is safe alongside walkways, patios and play areas.
Is Blue Flax safe around pets?
Blue Flax is listed as pet-friendly in this guide. If your dog is a determined chewer, check any new plant with your vet before planting.
When does Blue Flax bloom in Arizona?
Blue Flax blooms in spring, with blue flowers. The bloom draws bees, butterflies.
How much maintenance does Blue Flax need?
Blue Flax is low-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated low. Little needed — each flower lasts a day but they come in profusion; shear lightly if it gets floppy, and leave seed heads to reseed.
What kind of soil does Blue Flax need?
Lean, well-drained sandy or gravelly native soils; drought-tolerant once established; poor soil keeps the wiry stems upright. It needs no supplemental feeding. None needed; lean native soil keeps the wiry stems upright.
Is Blue Flax native to Arizona?
Yes. Blue Flax is native to Arizona and to the Western US, Northern Mexico, so it is adapted to local rainfall, soil and heat.