Purple Sand Verbena
Abronia angustifolia
Last reviewed: August 2026
Toxicity unknown
Purple Sand Verbena (Abronia angustifolia) 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"–12" H × 8"–16" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
AZ, NM, TX
Pollinators
bees, butterflies, moths
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 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Purple sand verbena is a low-growing native perennial that forms attractive mats of small, rounded leaves topped with clusters of fragrant purple flowers. It blooms reliably from May through August and thrives in sandy or well-drained soils with minimal water once established.
In an HOA neighborhood
Purple Sand Verbena is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
- Winter appearance uncertain due to unknown leaf retention
- May spread beyond intended boundaries
Wildlife value
The fragrant purple flowers attract bees, butterflies, and night-flying moths throughout the long blooming season. This plant is especially valuable for native pollinators adapted to arid Southwest conditions.
Common questions
- How much sun does Purple Sand Verbena need?
- Purple Sand Verbena grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Purple Sand Verbena bloom?
- Purple Sand Verbena blooms in May, June, July, and August.
- Where is Purple Sand Verbena native?
- Purple Sand Verbena (Abronia angustifolia) is native to AZ, NM, TX, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Purple Sand Verbena attract?
- Purple Sand Verbena draws bees, butterflies, and moths.
- Is Purple Sand Verbena HOA-friendly?
- Purple Sand Verbena is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
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 Purple Sand Verbena? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.