It can be aggressive in small gardens due to its rhizomatous spread.

Does it need full sun?

It prefers full sun but will tolerate light shade.

Plant guide

American germander.

Teucrium canadense

Pronounced TOO-kree-um kan-ah-DEN-see

Also known as American Germander, Canada Germander, Hairy Germander, Wild Germander, Wood Sage, creeping germander, germander, head betony

American germander — Photo by Courtney R. (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This hardy perennial is a wonderful native plant that spreads through underground runners. It produces lovely spikes of pinkish purple flowers that attract bees and butterflies to your garden. You will find it is quite adaptable to different soil conditions.

Another photo of American germander — Photo by Evelyn Davis (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial herb
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 2 to 3 feet tall
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 9
Bloom time: Early to mid summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist to mimic its natural habitat near streams or meadows. Watch for wilting during dry spells, as this plant prefers not to dry out completely. You can trim it back after flowering to encourage a tidier appearance.

Watering: Water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once during the spring growth spurt.
Pruning: Cut back the stems after the flowers fade to keep the plant looking neat.
Repotting: Repot only if the plant becomes too crowded or if you need to divide the runners.
Soil: Moist, rich, well draining soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -30 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%

Safety

People: This plant is generally considered non toxic, though it is not intended for consumption.
Children: It is safe for children to be around, though they should be discouraged from eating the plant matter.
Contact allergens: Some people might experience mild skin irritation from the fine hairs on the stems.
Airborne allergens: The pollen can be a minor irritant for those with severe seasonal allergies.
Edibility: While historically used in folk medicine, it is not considered a culinary herb and should be avoided.

How to identify it

Square stems typical of mint family
Opposite lance shaped serrated leaves
Spikes of tubular pinkish purple flowers
Wrinkled leaf texture

Height: 0.3 to 0.9m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: pink, lavender, purple, 1 to 2cm

Problems to watch for

Powdery mildew · White fungal growth on leaves often caused by poor air circulation.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, fall

Pair this with other moisture loving native perennials to create a lush rain garden effect.

Grows well with

Purple Coneflower · They share similar sun and moisture requirements.
Blue Vervain · This plant thrives in the same moist soil conditions.

Similar species

Wood Sage · It is a close relative with similar growth habits.

Science

Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Teucrium
Order: Lamiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Most of North America.
Conservation: It is widespread and not of conservation concern.

It grows naturally in moist meadows, thickets, and along stream banks where it can spread freely.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, attracts native pollinators
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: pollinator garden, native plant restoration, border plant

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 7/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is it invasive?: It can be aggressive in small gardens due to its rhizomatous spread.
Does it need full sun?: It prefers full sun but will tolerate light shade.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Teucrium honors Teucer, a king of Troy, while the species name canadense refers to its presence in Canada.

Good to know

It is commonly called American germander.
The plant spreads by underground rhizomes, making it a great ground cover in the right spot.
It thrives in moist soils where other plants might struggle.

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.