Perennial•USDA: AQCH•PLANTED: SPRING 2025•
Gulf Coast Penstemon
Penstemon tenuis
FAMILY: Plantaginaceae (Plantain Family)ALSO KNOWN AS:
Yellow ColumbineSouthwestern Yellow ColumbineBrazos PenstemonBrazos BeardtongueGulf PenstemonGulf BeardtongueGulf Coast BeardtongueSharp-sepal PenstemonSharp-sepal Beardtongue
Native across the Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Gulf Coast Penstemon (Penstemon tenuis) is an adaptable deciduous perennial valued for both ornamental appeal and ecosystem support. It features distinctive glaucous green foliage.
During Spring, the plant produces purple blooms. Flowering is followed by ornamental green to dark grey 13-18 mm follicles, 2 mm seeds that add seasonal interest.
It plays a key ecological role as a larval host plant for Central Texas butterflies, including Common Buckeye. Attracts butterflies and bumblebees.
Best suited to clay, loam, moist, poor drainage, and sand, Gulf Coast Penstemon adapts seamlessly to local soil conditions. It requires minimal supplemental water and tolerates dry spells with ease.

Gulf Coast Penstemon
Penstemon tenuis
NATIVE RANGE // EPA & NPSOT
Texas Native Ecoregions2 REGIONS
[ INITIALIZING GEOSPATIAL MAP DATA... ]
Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes
SOURCE: US EPA L3/L4 ECOREGIONS • NPSOT VERIFIED30.1727° N, 98.0873° W (DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX)
GROWTH & VISUAL PROFILEPerennial • Herbaceous
↕HEIGHT
1 ft.
↔SPREAD
0.5 ft.
🌱GROWTH
Moderate
🍂FOLIAGE
Deciduous
BLOOM COLOR
Purple
BLOOM CALENDARSpring (3 MO)
JANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDEC
BOTANICAL ALIASES & ALTERNATE NAMES9 ALIASES
Yellow ColumbineSouthwestern Yellow ColumbineBrazos PenstemonBrazos BeardtongueGulf PenstemonGulf BeardtongueGulf Coast BeardtongueSharp-sepal PenstemonSharp-sepal Beardtongue
ECOLOGICAL ROLE & WILDLIFE
🦋 CENTRAL TEXAS LARVAL HOST PLANT
Larval food plant for: Common Buckeye
ATTRACTS & SUPPORTS
Larval Host: Common BuckeyeBeesButterfliesHummingbirdsNectar Insects
Larval host plant for Central Texas butterflies: Common Buckeye. Verified online via Texas Entomology (Mike Quinn). Verified via Texas Entomology (Mike Quinn, texasento.net) and Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (wildflower.org).
WATER NEEDMedium (Drought Tolerant)
VL
LOW
MOD
HIGH
SOLAR NEEDSun, Part Shade
SHADE
PART SHADE
PART SUN
FULL SUN
SUBSTRATE & SOILpH: Neutral to Alkaline
ClayLoamMoistPoor DrainageSand
⚠️ BOTANICAL SAFETY NOTICE
Non-toxic to humans, birds, and domestic animals.
MAINTENANCE & PROPAGATION
Low maintenance once established.