Turtlehead.

De un vistazo

Nivel de cuidados

Fácil

Tipo de planta

Perennial

Luz

Full sun to partial shade

Luz en interior

Luz indirecta brillante

Riego

Cada 2 a 4 días

Tamaño adulto

2 to 3 feet

Ritmo de crecimiento

Medio

Rusticidad

USDA 3 a 8

Floración

Late summer to mid autumn

Cuidados

Keep the soil consistently moist because this plant hates drying out. Watch for wilting leaves as a sign that it needs more water immediately. You can pinch back the stems in spring to encourage a bushier shape.

Riego

Keep the soil evenly moist at all times.

Abonado

Apply a balanced organic compost in early spring.

Poda

Cut the stems back to the ground after the first hard frost.

Trasplante

Divide the clumps every few years to keep the plant vigorous.

Suelo

Rich, moist, organic soil

pH del suelo

5.5 to 7.0

Temperatura

-35 a 30°C

Humedad

60 a 90%

Tolerancia a la sequía

Baja

Longevidad

Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years

Resistencia a ciervos y conejos

Moderada

Seguridad

Personas

There are no reports of significant toxicity in humans.

Niños

The plant is not known to be a choking hazard or dangerous to handle.

Alérgenos por contacto

No specific skin irritation is associated with this plant.

Alérgenos en el aire

There is no notable risk of airborne allergens from this species.

Comestibilidad

This plant is not considered edible and should not be consumed.

Cómo identificarla

• Snapdragon like white or pink flowers
• Flowers resemble a turtle head
• Opposite lance shaped leaves
• Sturdy upright square stems
• Blooms in late summer to autumn

Altura

0,6 a 1,2m

Anchura

0,3 a 0,6m

Hojas

dark green, deciduous

Flores

white, pale pink, 2 a 4cm

Frutos

brown, Autumn

Problemas frecuentes

• Powdery mildew — A white fungal growth appears on leaves when air circulation is poor.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagación

division, seed, cuttings

Cuándo plantar

spring, autumn

Cuidados en invierno

Cut the stems back to the ground after the first hard frost. Apply a layer of mulch if you live in an area with little snow cover.

En maceta

It grows well in containers if you use a large pot and keep the soil constantly wet.

Group this plant with other moisture loving perennials to create a self sustaining rain garden.

Buenas compañeras

• Eutrochium purpureum — They share similar moisture requirements and bloom times.
• Cardinal flower — Both species thrive in the same wet, shady garden conditions.

Especies parecidas

• Chelone lyonii — It is a closely related species with more vibrant pink flowers.

Ciencia

Familia

Plantaginaceae

Género

Chelone

Orden

Lamiales

Clase

Magnoliopsida

Distribución natural

Eastern North America.

Conservación

It is not currently listed as endangered or protected.

It grows in wet meadows and along stream banks where its roots can stay saturated.

Valor para la fauna

larval host plant, nectar source

Polinizadores

abejas, mariposas

Usos

rain gardens, pollinator gardens, wetland restoration

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

Does it need full sun?

It prefers partial shade but will tolerate full sun if the soil stays consistently moist.

How often should I water it?

Keep the soil constantly moist, as this plant naturally grows in wetlands.

De dónde viene el nombre

The genus name Chelone comes from the Greek word for tortoise, referring to the flower shape. The specific epithet glabra means smooth or hairless.

Bueno saberlo

• It is the primary host plant for the Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly.
• The flowers are designed to be opened only by strong insects like bumblebees.
• It thrives in damp soil where other plants might struggle.