Plymouth gentian
Sabatia kennedyana
Last reviewed: October 2026
Plymouth gentian (Sabatia kennedyana) is a perennial forb native to MA, NC, RI, SC and 1 more states. It blooms in July, August, and September. The flowers draw bees.
Toxicity unknown
Plymouth gentian (Sabatia kennedyana) 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
high
Size
12"–24" H × 12"–18" W
Bloom
Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
MA, NC, RI, SC and 1 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 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
An upright perennial with narrow leaves and showy pink star-shaped flowers with a yellow center. Grows along the sandy, seasonally flooded shores of ponds and in wet meadows.
Growing Plymouth gentian
Grow Plymouth gentian in full sun and high water. Mature plants reach 12 to 24 inches tall and spread 12 to 18 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Flowers are an important nectar source for bees along pond-edge and wet-meadow habitats.
Common questions
- How much sun does Plymouth gentian need?
- Plymouth gentian grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Plymouth gentian bloom?
- Plymouth gentian blooms in July, August, and September.
- Where is Plymouth gentian native?
- Plymouth gentian (Sabatia kennedyana) is native to MA, NC, RI, SC and 1 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Plymouth gentian attract?
- Plymouth gentian draws bees.
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 Plymouth gentian? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.