Blue Star Creeper, or Isotoma fluviatilis, is a small, spreading groundcover plant native to Australia and New Zealand. It is a member of the Campanulaceae family and is known for its blue star-shaped flowers and low-growing habit. Blue Star Creeper only grows 1-3 inches tall but can spread up to 2 feet wide. There is also a White Star Creeper with white flowers.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of Blue Star Creeper are small, rounded, and a vibrant shade of green. Their dense growth pattern creates a lush carpet-like effect as they interweave and spread across the ground. These tiny leaves form a soft and inviting texture that beckons to be touched. Their compact nature contributes to the plant’s ability to fill gaps between larger plants.
The flowers of Blue Star Creeper add a burst of color and elegance to outdoor spaces. Delicate, star-shaped blossoms emerge in shades of pale blue to lavender, resembling a celestial constellation scattered across the ground. These miniature flowers gather in clusters above the foliage, creating a visually striking contrast against the lush green backdrop. The flowers also attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Preferred Growing Conditions
Blue Star Creeper is well-suited for temperate and mild climates. It thrives in our area as a herbaceous perennial meaning that it will die back to the ground in cold winters, and then the foliage will return in the spring.
Martin Garden Center recommends you plant Blue Star Creeper in an area that receives partial sun. While it can tolerate some shade, it tends to produce the most prolific blooms and maintain a compact growth habit when exposed to ample sunlight. In our area with hot and intense summers, providing the plant with some afternoon shade can help prevent leaf scorch and stress.
The plant thrives in well-draining, moderately fertile soil enriched with organic matter. While Blue Star Creeper can tolerate some soil types, including sandy or loamy soils, it’s important to avoid heavy or poorly drained soils that can lead to root rot. Blue Star Creeper has moderate water needs and prefers consistently moist soil. Adequate watering, especially during the establishment phase, helps the plant develop a strong root system.
Uses of Blue Star Creeper
Blue Star Creeper is primarily used as a groundcover in gardens and landscapes to fill in gaps between larger plants or to create a low-growing border. The plant’s bright green leaves and blue flowers provide a striking contrast to other plants in the garden. It’s important to note that Blue Star Creeper can become invasive if not weeded regularly or when not contained. However, the fine stems and roots are shallow and easily removed. As a groundcover, it is easily divided and cultivated.
Martin Garden Center planted the pictured pathway 8-9 inches on center in a well-tilled soil. Espoma Bio-Tone Plant Starter and Ferti-lome Garden Cote 6 were used. Each 4 inch plant was quartered. Within a year, it yielded a gorgeous blooming pathway along the side of this home, with a thick mat that repelled weeds. The homeowner attests to weeding 3-5 times a year the first year, and 2-3 times in the continuing years. Blue Star Creeper is a keeper!!!