Does it need full sun?

Yes, it prefers full sun to light shade for the best flowering.

How often should I prune it?

Light pruning after flowering keeps the plant tidy and encourages bushier growth.

Plant guide

New Zealand hebe.

Veronica speciosa

Pronounced veh-RON-ih-kah spee-see-OH-sah

Also known as New Zealand hebe, Purple hebe

New Zealand hebe — Photo by Loïc Chalmandrier (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This lovely evergreen shrub is native to New Zealand and brings a nice touch of color to your garden. It produces dense spikes of purple or pink flowers that really stand out against its glossy foliage. You will find it is a great choice for adding texture to borders or containers.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Evergreen shrub
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 3 to 5 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 8 to 11
Bloom time: Mid summer to late autumn

Care

Plant this shrub in well draining soil to keep the roots happy. Watch for yellowing leaves which can signal that the soil is staying too wet. A light trim after flowering helps keep the plant looking tidy and encourages more blooms.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Prune lightly after the main flowering period to maintain shape.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant becomes root bound in its container.
Soil: Well draining loamy soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -5 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water sitting on the surface for too long
Stunted growth during the active season

Safety

People: There are no significant reports of human toxicity, but it is best kept away from curious mouths.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of small children to prevent accidental ingestion of leaves.
Contact allergens: Handling the foliage may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen can trigger mild reactions in those with seasonal allergies.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

Glossy dark green oval leaves
Dense spikes of purple flowers
Evergreen shrub growth habit
Opposite leaf arrangement on stems

Height: 0.6 to 1.2m
Spread: 0.6 to 1m
Leaves: dark green, evergreen
Flowers: purple, violet, pink, 0.5 to 1cm

Problems to watch for

Downy mildew · Appears as yellow patches on leaves with fuzzy growth underneath in humid conditions.
Aphids · Small insects that cluster on new growth and suck plant sap.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: In colder regions, move containers to a sheltered spot or cover with frost cloth during hard freezes.
In containers: It grows very well in pots, provided you use a container at least 40 cm wide with excellent drainage.

Stem cuttings

Take a 10 cm cutting from non flowering growth in late summer.
Remove the lower leaves and dip the end in rooting hormone.
Place in a pot of moist, sandy soil and keep in a bright, sheltered spot until rooted.

Group these with other Mediterranean style plants that appreciate well drained soil.

Grows well with

Lavender · They share similar sun and drainage requirements.
Rosemary · It complements the texture of the hebe foliage.

Similar species

Hebe albicans · A smaller, more compact relative with similar needs.

Science

Family: Plantaginaceae
Genus: Veronica
Order: Lamiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: New Zealand
Conservation: This species is not currently listed as endangered or threatened.

It thrives in coastal environments where it handles salt spray and moderate winds.

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

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 4/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 6/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full sun?: Yes, it prefers full sun to light shade for the best flowering.
How often should I prune it?: Light pruning after flowering keeps the plant tidy and encourages bushier growth.

Where the name comes from

The name Veronica honors Saint Veronica, while the species name speciosa means showy or beautiful in Latin.

Good to know

It is native to New Zealand.
The genus was named in honor of Saint Veronica.
It is often called the New Zealand hebe.

Keep your new zealand hebe growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

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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.