Quaker-ladies
Houstonia caerulea
Last reviewed: September 2026
Quaker-ladies (Houstonia caerulea) is a perennial forb native to AL, AR, CT, IA and 11 more states. It blooms in April, May, and June. The flowers draw small bees and flies.
Toxicity unknown
Quaker-ladies (Houstonia caerulea) 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
medium
Size
2"–6" H × 4"–8" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun
Native to
AL, AR, CT, IA and 11 more states
Pollinators
small bees, flies
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.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
A tiny, mat-forming perennial with pale blue, four-petaled flowers with a yellow center. It carpets lawns, meadow edges, and rock gardens in a neat low mat during spring.
Growing Quaker-ladies
Grow Quaker-ladies in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 2 to 6 inches tall and spread 4 to 8 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Provides nectar for small native bees and other pollinating insects during its early spring bloom.
Common questions
- How much sun does Quaker-ladies need?
- Quaker-ladies grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Quaker-ladies bloom?
- Quaker-ladies blooms in April, May, and June.
- Where is Quaker-ladies native?
- Quaker-ladies (Houstonia caerulea) is native to AL, AR, CT, IA and 11 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Quaker-ladies attract?
- Quaker-ladies draws small bees and flies.
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 Quaker-ladies? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.