Bay lavender
Heliotropium gnaphalodes
Last reviewed: September 2026
Bay lavender (Heliotropium gnaphalodes) is a perennial shrub native to FL. It blooms in March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November. The flowers draw bees and butterflies.
Toxicity unknown
Bay lavender (Heliotropium gnaphalodes) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
12"–36" H × 24"–48" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Native to
FL
Pollinators
bees, butterflies
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 458 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
Compact, silvery-leaved evergreen shrub with small clusters of white flowers blooming for much of the year. Found on coastal dunes and rocky shorelines, tolerant of salt spray.
Growing Bay lavender
Grow Bay lavender in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 inches tall and spread 24 to 48 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Near-continuous bloom provides a reliable nectar source for coastal bees and butterflies.
Common questions
- How much sun does Bay lavender need?
- Bay lavender grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Bay lavender bloom?
- Bay lavender blooms in March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November.
- Where is Bay lavender native?
- Bay lavender (Heliotropium gnaphalodes) is native to FL, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Bay lavender attract?
- Bay lavender draws bees and butterflies.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Bay lavender? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.