191 EVELYN CTExplore Garden
PerennialUSDA: STCOPLANTED: SPRING 2025

Scarlet Betony

Stachys coccinea

FAMILY: Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

A resilient native native Texas herb that provides year-round foliage and structure to the landscape. Native across the Edwards Plateau, Texas Blackland Prairies, and Cross Timbers, Scarlet Betony (Stachys coccinea) thrives in local conditions while supporting the surrounding ecosystem. During mar, apr, may, jun, jul, aug, sep, and oct, the plant produces delightfully fragrant, red flower clusters. Flowering is followed by nutlets that add vibrant visual contrast and seasonal interest. It plays a vital ecological role as a larval host plant for Central Texas butterflies, including Painted Lady. Flowers attract hummingbirds. Thriving in moist soils., Scarlet Betony demonstrates outstanding hardiness once established. It requires minimal supplemental water and adapts seamlessly to drought conditions. It features high deer resistance.

Scarlet Betony

Scarlet Betony

Stachys coccinea

CREDIT: iNaturalist Community
NATIVE RANGE // EPA & NPSOT

Texas Native Ecoregions3 REGIONS

[ INITIALIZING GEOSPATIAL MAP DATA... ]

Edwards Plateau, Texas Blackland Prairies, Cross Timbers

SOURCE: US EPA L3/L4 ECOREGIONS • NPSOT VERIFIED30.1727° N, 98.0873° W (DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX)
GROWTH & VISUAL PROFILEPerennial • Herb
HEIGHT

Up to about 3 feet tall

SPREAD

2 to 4 ft

🍂FOLIAGE

Deciduous

BLOOM COLOR
Red
BLOOM CALENDARMar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct (9 MO)
JANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDEC
ECOLOGICAL ROLE & WILDLIFE
🦋 CENTRAL TEXAS LARVAL HOST PLANT

Larval food plant for: Painted Lady

ATTRACTS & SUPPORTS
Larval Host: Painted LadyFlowers attract hummingbirds.

Larval host plant for Central Texas butterflies: Painted Lady. 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 NEEDPart Shade
SHADE
PART SHADE
PART SUN
FULL SUN
SUBSTRATE & SOILpH: Neutral to Alkaline
Moist soils.
⚠️ BOTANICAL SAFETY NOTICE

Non-toxic to humans, birds, and domestic animals.

MAINTENANCE & PROPAGATION

Low maintenance once established.