Back to No Stratification
Back to All Collections
Back to All Collections

Five Spot Seeds (Nemophila maculata) - Native Wildflower

$4.00
/
  • Free delivery on orders over $50
  • In stock, ready to ship
  • Inventory on the way

Five Spot - California's Charming Native Wildflower

Nemophila maculata, commonly known as Five Spot, is a stunning annual wildflower native to California that brings distinctive beauty to any garden. Each delicate, cup-shaped white blossom features five rounded petals adorned with a striking deep purple or blue spot at the tip—creating the signature look that gives this flower its memorable name.

Key Features & Benefits

  • Unique Beauty: Eye-catching white blooms with distinctive purple-spotted petals
  • Compact Growth: Grows 6-12 inches tall, perfect for borders and containers
  • Pollinator Magnet: Attracts bees and butterflies to your garden
  • Easy to Grow: Thrives in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil
  • Native California Plant: Adapted to local conditions and supports native ecosystems

Growing Your Five Spot Wildflowers

Five Spot flourishes in cool, moist conditions during early spring, creating a soft, colorful carpet of blooms that transforms wildflower gardens, meadows, and naturalized landscapes. Its low-growing habit makes it ideal for edging pathways, filling containers, or adding gentle color to rock gardens.

Experience the joy of growing this beloved California native wildflower—a favorite among gardeners for its cheerful blooms and effortless charm.

Height 6–12 inches
Light requirements Full Sun 6+ hours of direct sunlight daily Part Sun 3-6 hours of direct sunlight daily Part Shade 3-6 hours of direct sunlight daily Shade Under 4 hours of direct sunlight daily Full Shade 0-3 hours of sunlight daily, preferably morning sun. Can be filtered (dappled) light to deep shade Dappled Light Soft, shifting pattern of sunlight and shade when sunlight filters through the leaves Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Medium
Bloom Time Spring
Stratification Not Needed
Soil Well-drained, enriched with compost
Attracts Bees, Beneficial Insects

Five Spot (Nemophila maculata) Planting Instructions

Outdoor Planting (Direct Sow)


  1. Timing:
    Sow seeds outdoors in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked, or in fall in mild-winter regions (like California) for natural spring blooms.

  2. Site Selection:
    Choose a sunny to partly shaded location (4–6 hours of sunlight daily). Five Spot prefers cool spring weather and will fade as temperatures rise.

  3. Soil Preparation:
    Loosen soil to a depth of 4–6 inches.
    Mix in compost or organic matter for better drainage and fertility.

    Rake smooth before sowing.

  4. Sowing:
    Sprinkle seeds evenly over the soil surface.

    Press lightly into the soil (do not cover deeply — light aids germination).

    Space seeds about 6–8 inches apart for best display.

  5. Watering:
    Keep soil consistently moist (not soggy) until seedlings emerge, usually in 7–14 days.

    Once established, water lightly but regularly during dry periods.

  6. Care:
    No fertilizer is usually needed.

    Remove weeds carefully to avoid disturbing young plants.

    Allow flowers to reseed naturally for blooms the next spring.

Indoor Planting (Seed Starting)


  1. Timing:
    Start seeds 4–6 weeks before the last expected frost date.

  2. Containers & Soil:
    Use small pots or seed trays with well-draining seed-starting mix.

    Moisten the soil before sowing.

  3. Sowing Seeds:
    Press seeds gently into the soil surface (do not bury).

    Maintain gentle light contact—light is needed for germination.

  4. Light & Temperature:
    Place in bright light or under grow lights for 12–14 hours per day.

    Keep temperatures between 55–65°F (13–18°C) for best germination.

  5. Watering:
    Mist lightly to keep soil evenly moist but never waterlogged.

    Germination typically occurs in 7–14 days.

  6. Transplanting:
    Harden off seedlings gradually outdoors for a week before planting.

    Transplant into prepared beds once soil is workable and frost danger has passed.

    Space 6–8 inches apart.

🌸 Tips for Success


  • Five Spot thrives in cool, moist spring conditions and is ideal for early-season color.

  • Excellent for containers, borders, and native wildflower meadows.

  • Allow to self-seed each year for recurring blooms.
Five Spot Seeds (Nemophila maculata) - Native Wildflower

Nemophila maculata

Five Spot

Native Plant Map

Dark Green indicates the plant is native within the state,
yellow rare, the lime green indicates where the plant is native and seen more within a state.

Full BONAP map key Unreported plant (absent for area) Native to North America, present in state, not county Native to North America, present in county Exotic to North America, present in state, not county Exotic to North America, present in county Native to North America, adventive in state, present in county Native to North America, extinct or possibly extinct Native to North America, extirpated or historic, no longer present in that state or county Native to North America, rare in state, present in county Native or exotic to North America, noxious in state, present in county Exotic to North America, eradicated Native or exotic to North America, waif or vanished, found once or rarely but no longer present in state False, unverified, or cultivated reports Questionable presence (cross-hatched) Key as published by BONAP. Most seed pages will only show a few of these colors.

Map Credits BONAP©2026

BONAP native range map for Nemophila maculata

Frequently asked questions

Why didn't my seeds germinate?

Most of the time, the seeds aren't dead. They're waiting. Many native wildflowers have built-in dormancy that keeps them from sprouting until they've been through a winter. If they skip that cold, moist period, they can sit in the soil and do nothing. Other common causes:

  • Planted too deep. Many native seeds are tiny and need light to germinate. Press them onto the soil surface instead of burying them.
  • The soil dried out. Seeds need steady moisture for the first few weeks after they start to wake up.
  • Not enough time. Some natives sprout within weeks. Others take a full season or longer, and a few come up the following spring.
  • Competition. Weeds and turf grass can crowd out seedlings before you notice them.

If your seeds haven't come up, don't dig up or till the area. Mark the spot, keep the weeds down, and give it another season. Many "failed" plantings fill in the next spring.

When is the best time to plant native seeds?

For most native wildflowers, late fall through early winter is the best time. Sowing then copies what happens in nature: the seeds drop in autumn, go through winter cold and moisture, and sprout when the soil warms in spring. Plant after your first hard frost, so the seeds don't sprout early and get killed by the cold.

If you miss fall, you can still plant in spring. Seeds that need a cold period will do better if you cold stratify them first. Mix them with damp sand or vermiculite, seal them in a labeled bag, and keep them in the refrigerator for 30 to 60 days before sowing. Check each seed's product page or packet QR code for its own instructions, since needs vary by species.

Why aren't my native plants blooming in the first year?

That's normal. Most native perennials put their first year or two into building deep roots, not flowers. Those roots are what make native plants tough, drought-tolerant, and long-lived once they're established. A common rule of thumb is "first year they sleep, second year they creep, third year they leap." Be patient, keep weeds under control, and let the plants settle in. The blooms are worth the wait.

Recently viewed

Back to No Stratification