How much sun does Slender beardtongue need?

Slender beardtongue grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Slender beardtongue bloom?

Slender beardtongue blooms in May, June, and July.

Where is Slender beardtongue native?

Slender beardtongue (Penstemon gracilis) is native to CO, IA, IL, MI and 8 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What pollinators does Slender beardtongue attract?

Slender beardtongue draws bees.

Slender beardtongue

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Penstemon gracilis

Last reviewed: October 2026

Slender beardtongue (Penstemon gracilis) is a perennial forb native to CO, IA, IL, MI and 8 more states. It blooms in May, June, and July. The flowers draw bees.

Toxicity unknown

Slender beardtongue (Penstemon gracilis) 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

8"–16" H × 8"–12" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

CO, IA, IL, MI and 8 more states

Pollinators

bees

Before you buy

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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

Northwestern Forested Mountains Southern Rockies High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Central Great Plains Northwestern Glaciated Plains Northwestern Great Plains Great Plains Northern Glaciated Plains Western Corn Belt Plains Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Driftless Area Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains

A slender upright perennial with narrow leaves and one-sided spikes of tubular lavender-pink flowers in early summer. Well suited to dry prairie and sandy soils where it stays compact and upright.

Growing Slender beardtongue

Grow Slender beardtongue in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 8 to 16 inches tall and spread 8 to 12 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Tubular flowers are pollinated primarily by bumble bees and other long-tongued native bees.

Common questions

How much sun does Slender beardtongue need?: Slender beardtongue grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Slender beardtongue bloom?: Slender beardtongue blooms in May, June, and July.
Where is Slender beardtongue native?: Slender beardtongue (Penstemon gracilis) is native to CO, IA, IL, MI and 8 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Slender beardtongue attract?: Slender beardtongue 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.

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