Does it need deadheading?

Deadheading helps keep the plant tidy and encourages a longer bloom period.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Yes, it thrives in containers with excellent drainage.

Plant guide

Wandflower.

Gaura lindheimeri

Pronounced ee-no-THEE-ruh lind-HY-mer-eye

Also known as Gaura lindheimeri, Lindheimer's beeblossom

Oenothera lindheimeri — Photo by Andrew Gillespie (CC0) via gbif

Wandflower is a charming perennial that adds a soft, airy feel to any garden border. It produces delicate, butterfly like blooms on long, slender stems that sway gracefully in the breeze. This plant is a favorite for pollinators and thrives in sunny, well drained spots.

Another photo of Wandflower — Photo by zebedeugalinha (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 120cm tall, 90cm wide
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 5 to 9
Bloom time: Late spring to early autumn

Care

Plant in a spot with plenty of sun and ensure the soil drains well to prevent root rot. Keep an eye out for aphids on the flower spikes and trim back spent stems to encourage a second flush of blooms. It is quite drought tolerant once established, so you don't need to worry about frequent watering.

Watering: Water deeply when the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer once in early spring.
Pruning: Deadhead spent flowers throughout the season to promote continuous blooming.
Repotting: Repot only if the plant becomes root bound or needs division.
Soil: Sandy, loamy, well drained
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly acidic
Temperature: -12 to 38°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Short lived perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.

Safety

People: There are no reports of significant toxicity to humans.
Children: The stems can be slightly brittle, but there are no specific ingestion hazards for children.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

Long, slender, arching flower spikes
Delicate four petaled white or pink flowers
Narrow, lance shaped grey green leaves
Clump forming growth habit

Height: 0.6 to 1.5m
Spread: 0.45 to 0.9m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: white, pink, 2 to 3cm

Problems to watch for

Powdery MildewCommon
AphidsUncommon
DehydrationUncommon
Leaf SpotUncommon
Root RotUncommon

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings, division
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Cut back the foliage to the ground in late autumn after the first frost. In colder regions, apply a light layer of mulch to protect the crown.
In containers: It grows very well in pots, provided the container has drainage holes and is at least 30 centimeters wide.

Cuttings

Take stem cuttings in late spring.
Remove lower leaves.
Dip in rooting hormone.
Place in moist, well draining soil.

Pair this plant with other drought tolerant perennials to ensure they all thrive under the same watering schedule.

Grows well with

Purple Coneflower · They share similar sun and water requirements while providing a nice color contrast.
Russian Sage · The airy texture of both plants creates a beautiful, soft look in the garden.

Similar species

Evening Primrose · It is a close relative with similar flower structures.

Science

Family: Onagraceae
Genus: Oenothera
Order: Myrtales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Louisiana and Texas in the United States, and Mexico.
Conservation: This species is secure and widely cultivated.

It thrives in open, sunny prairies and disturbed soils where it can outcompete smaller vegetation.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, moths
Uses: border plant, container gardening, pollinator garden

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 6/9
Moisture: 3/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need deadheading?: Deadheading helps keep the plant tidy and encourages a longer bloom period.
Can I grow it in a pot?: Yes, it thrives in containers with excellent drainage.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Oenothera comes from Greek for wine seeking, while the species honors botanist Ferdinand Jacob Lindheimer.

Good to know

It was formerly classified as Gaura lindheimeri.
The flowers open in the evening and can last for several days.
It is native to the southern United States and Mexico.
The plant is highly drought tolerant once established.

Also in

Drought-tolerant plants

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.