Low penstemon
Penstemon humilis
Last reviewed: October 2026
Low penstemon (Penstemon humilis) is a perennial forb native to CA, CO, ID, MT and 5 more states. It blooms in May and June. The flowers draw bumble bees.
Toxicity unknown
Low penstemon (Penstemon humilis) 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
4"–10" H × 8"–14" W
Bloom
May, Jun
Native to
CA, CO, ID, MT and 5 more states
Pollinators
bumble 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 458 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
A low, mat-forming beardtongue with small gray-green leaves and short spikes of deep blue-violet tubular flowers held just above the foliage in late spring. Forms a tidy, compact mound on rocky slopes.
Growing Low penstemon
Grow Low penstemon in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 4 to 10 inches tall and spread 8 to 14 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Its dense spring flower spikes are a strong nectar source for bumble bees at higher elevations.
Common questions
- How much sun does Low penstemon need?
- Low penstemon grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Low penstemon bloom?
- Low penstemon blooms in May and June.
- Where is Low penstemon native?
- Low penstemon (Penstemon humilis) is native to CA, CO, ID, MT and 5 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Low penstemon attract?
- Low penstemon draws bumble bees.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. 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 Low penstemon? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.