Smooth-leaf Penstemon
Penstemon leiophyllus
Last reviewed: September 2026
Toxicity unknown
Smooth-leaf Penstemon (Penstemon leiophyllus) 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"–20" H × 6"–12" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
NV, UT
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 460 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaPicture natives in your own yard
Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Smooth-leaf Penstemon.
Browse plants for this ecoregion
A clumping beardtongue with smooth, lance-shaped leaves and clusters of blue-purple tubular flowers on upright stems. Grows in open mountain meadows and forest openings.
In an HOA neighborhood
Smooth-leaf Penstemon is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: rock gardens, border edges.
Wildlife value
Summer flowers support bumble bees and other native bees.
Common questions
- How much sun does Smooth-leaf Penstemon need?
- Smooth-leaf Penstemon grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Smooth-leaf Penstemon bloom?
- Smooth-leaf Penstemon blooms in June, July, and August.
- Where is Smooth-leaf Penstemon native?
- Smooth-leaf Penstemon (Penstemon leiophyllus) is native to NV, UT, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Smooth-leaf Penstemon attract?
- Smooth-leaf Penstemon draws bees.
- Is Smooth-leaf Penstemon HOA-friendly?
- Smooth-leaf Penstemon 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 Smooth-leaf Penstemon? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.