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Common Flax

About Common Flax

The leaves of this plant are simple, alternate, narrow and smooth-margined. The flowers are pale blue, 5-parted, the petals broad and spreading, and the fruit a capsule.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Linum usitatissimum

Genus

Linum

Family

Linaceae

Order

Malpighiales

Also known as

Flax, Common flax and Linseed,

How to care for Common Flax

💦 Water

How often to water your Common Flax

Common Flax needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Common Flax in your home

Common Flax love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Common Flax does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Common Flax in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Common Flax

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Common Flax: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Common Flax after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Cacti cultivating! I have just started reading about the Melocactus Bahiensis, from which I have gathered and sowed seeds from last week.👀 Aaand I am hoping I am blessed with a lucky charm for difficult plants (as I had success with the first Calathea I got when I knew nothing).😅 Well. For anyone interested, some of my seeds have indeed started sprouting!👶👶 I am so excited 😄 And also so nervous as all I am reading now is that this cacti is for experienced cacti cultivators. And I have never done this before😂 So wish me luck! And any advice is gratefully received😄🌵 Sorry for bad photo, but I don't want to open the zip-bag they are in😅 If you know they are there you might see one or two green dots (there are 6)🙈💚💚 #cactusclique #cactus #melocactus #cultivatedflax #whatthesuccwednesday #succulentsquad #succulentlove #newgrowth #happyplants #adhdplantlovers

Browse #CultivatedFlax

💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Common Flax prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Common Flax Water Frequency →

Common Flax Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Common Flax requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Common Flax Light Requirements →

Common Flax Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Common Flax is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. Common Flax is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

Is Common Flax Edible? →

Common Flax Toxicity to Cats →

Common Flax Toxicity to Dogs →

Common Flax Toxicity to Humans →

🪴 Soil

Common Flax does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Common Flax →

Best Pots for Common Flax →

When and How to Successfully Repot Common Flax →

What Are Healthy Common Flax Roots →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Common Flax grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

Common Flax Lifecycle →

Common Flax Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Common Flax →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Common Flax can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 3a-9b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Common Flax Temperature Tolerance →

Common Flax Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Common Flax →

When to Plant Common Flax →

How to Plant Common Flax →

Where to Plant Common Flax →

Winter Care for Common Flax →

Best Companion Plants for Common Flax →

Is Common Flax a Weed? →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Common Flax, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.