Pink Turtlehead
Chelone lyonii
Last reviewed: August 2026
Pink Turtlehead is a moisture loving perennial forb that blooms from July through September in part shade to shady sites with consistently damp soil.
Toxicity unknown
Pink Turtlehead (Chelone lyonii) 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 shade
Water
medium
Size
24"–36" H × 18"–24" W
Bloom
Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
AL, GA, MS, NC and 2 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
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 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Pink turtlehead is a native perennial that produces distinctive snapdragon-like pink flowers from summer through early fall. This clump-forming plant thrives in partial shade and moist conditions, making it ideal for areas that stay consistently watered. The sturdy upright stems and neat growth habit create an attractive, well-behaved garden presence.
Growing Pink Turtlehead
Grow Pink Turtlehead in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 24 to 36 inches tall and spread 18 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Pink Turtlehead is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, mid zone.
- Dies back completely in winter
Wildlife value
Host plant for Baltimore checkerspot butterfly.
The tubular flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds throughout the long blooming season. This plant serves as a host for the Baltimore checkerspot butterfly caterpillars.
Common questions
- When does Chelone lyonii bloom?
- Pink Turtlehead typically flowers from July through September, producing rose pink, snapdragon like blossoms on upright stems.
- What kind of light does Pink Turtlehead need?
- It grows best in part shade but can tolerate part sun to full shade, especially where soil moisture stays consistent through the growing season.
- How much water does this plant need?
- Pink Turtlehead prefers medium to consistently wet soil and does well near streambanks, seep areas, or rain gardens where moisture is steady.
- Does Chelone lyonii attract pollinators?
- Yes, its tubular flowers draw bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, with bumblebees being especially effective at working the hooded blooms.
- Is Pink Turtlehead a woody plant?
- No, it is an herbaceous perennial forb that dies back to the ground each winter and regrows from its root system in spring.
- Is Pink Turtlehead HOA-friendly?
- Pink Turtlehead is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
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 Pink Turtlehead? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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