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False Pennyroyal

Trichostema brachiatum

Last reviewed: October 2026

False Pennyroyal (Trichostema brachiatum)
Photo: Elias / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

Toxicity unknown

False Pennyroyal (Trichostema brachiatum) 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

part sun

Water

low

Size

9"–24" H × 6"–12" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov

Native to

AL, AR, AZ, CT and 27 more states

Pollinators

bees

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 460 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Central Great PlainsGreat PlainsCross TimbersEdwards PlateauTexas Blackland PrairiesSouth Central PlainsEastern Temperate ForestsOzark HighlandsCentral Irregular PlainsPiedmontNorthern Glaciated PlainsWestern Corn Belt PlainsNorth Central Hardwood ForestsDriftless AreaSoutheastern Wisconsin Till PlainsCentral Corn Belt PlainsEastern Corn Belt PlainsNortheastern HighlandsNortheastern Coastal ZoneNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsRidge and ValleyWestern Allegheny PlateauInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and Hills

False Pennyroyal is a compact annual wildflower with small, aromatic leaves and tiny blue to purple flowers that bloom from summer through late fall. This low-growing native forms neat mounds and provides extended color in the garden with minimal water requirements.

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In an HOA neighborhood

False Pennyroyal is an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement. Maintenance level: moderate. Tidiness: 2 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.

  • Requires seasonal replanting
  • May have messy dieback

Wildlife value

This plant is particularly valuable for native bees and other small pollinators during its long blooming season from June through November.

Common questions

How much sun does False Pennyroyal need?
False Pennyroyal grows best in part sun conditions.
When does False Pennyroyal bloom?
False Pennyroyal blooms in June, July, August, September, October, and November.
Where is False Pennyroyal native?
False Pennyroyal (Trichostema brachiatum) is native to AL, AR, AZ, CT and 27 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does False Pennyroyal attract?
False Pennyroyal draws bees.
Is False Pennyroyal HOA-friendly?
False Pennyroyal is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.

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.

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