Texas bluebonnet.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Annual wildflower

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

1 to 2 feet

Growth rate

Medium

Hardiness

USDA 7 to 9

Bloom time

Mid to late spring

Care

Plant these in well-draining soil to prevent root rot during the wetter months. Keep an eye out for aphids on the flower spikes during the spring. Ensure they get plenty of sun to encourage the best possible bloom display.

Watering

Water sparingly once established, as these plants prefer to dry out between soakings.

Feeding

Apply a light, low-nitrogen fertilizer only if the soil is very poor.

Pruning

Deadhead spent flowers to keep the area tidy, though leaving some allows for natural reseeding.

Repotting

As an annual, this plant completes its life cycle in one season and does not require repotting.

Soil

Sandy or rocky well-draining soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 8.0

Temperature

-10 to 35°C

Humidity

20 to 50%

Safety

People

The seeds contain alkaloids that are harmful if eaten.

Pets

This plant can be toxic to dogs and cats if ingested in large quantities.

Children

Keep children away from the seeds as they are poisonous and look like small peas.

Contact allergens

Handling the foliage may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

The pollen can trigger allergic reactions in some people during the flowering season.

Edibility

All parts of this plant are toxic if ingested and should not be consumed by humans or pets.

How to identify it

• Spikes of blue pea-like flowers
• Palmately compound leaves with five leaflets
• Silky hairs on stems and leaves
• Small seed pods following blooms

Height

0.2 to 0.4m

Spread

0.2 to 0.3m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

blue, white, 1 to 2cm

Fruit

brown, Summer

Problems to watch for

• Powdery mildew · A fungal infection that creates a white dusty coating on the leaves.
• Aphids · Small insects that suck sap from the tender new growth.

Growing it

Propagation

seed

When to plant

fall

Plant these in large drifts to create a natural meadow effect that attracts the most pollinators.

Grows well with

• Indian Paintbrush · They naturally grow together in the wild and share similar soil needs.
• Drummond Phlox · These provide a lovely color contrast when planted in drifts.

Similar species

• Big Bend Bluebonnet · It is a taller relative that grows in the desert regions of Texas.

Science

Family

Fabaceae

Genus

Lupinus

Order

Fabales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

South central United States, primarily Texas.

Conservation

This plant is abundant in the wild and is not currently threatened.

It thrives in open, sunny fields and disturbed soils where it can outcompete grasses.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, larval host plant

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

ornamental, meadow planting, pollinator garden

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

When should I plant seeds?

Sow them in the fall so they can establish roots before winter.

Do they need fertilizer?

No, they prefer lean soil and fix their own nitrogen.

Where the name comes from

The genus name comes from the Latin word for wolf, while the species name honors its home state.

Good to know

• The seeds have a hard coat that requires scarification to germinate well.
• They are nitrogen fixers that improve soil health.
• Bluebonnets are famous for creating massive, colorful displays along Texas highways.

Also in

• Plants toxic to cats and dogs