How much sun does Southern Bluet need?

Southern Bluet grows best in part sun conditions.

When does Southern Bluet bloom?

Southern Bluet blooms in March, April, May, and June.

Where is Southern Bluet native?

Southern Bluet (Houstonia micrantha) is native to AL, AR, FL, GA and 7 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What pollinators does Southern Bluet attract?

Southern Bluet draws bees and butterflies.

Is Southern Bluet HOA-friendly?

Southern Bluet takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Southern Bluet

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Houstonia micrantha

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Southern Bluet (Houstonia micrantha) 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

part sun

Water

medium

Size

2"–6" H × 2"–4" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May, Jun

Native to

AL, AR, FL, GA and 7 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

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 445 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

East Central Texas Plains Western Gulf Coastal Plain South Central Plains Ozark Highlands Piedmont Southeastern Plains Mississippi Alluvial Plain Mississippi Valley Loess Plains

Southern bluet is a tiny native groundcover that forms low mats of small leaves topped with delicate white to pale blue flowers from spring through early summer. This diminutive perennial stays very low to the ground and spreads slowly to create a fine-textured carpet in partially shaded areas.

In an HOA neighborhood

Southern Bluet takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Extremely small scale may appear as weedy lawn substitute
Can disappear visually when not blooming
May be mistaken for volunteer weeds by maintenance crews

Wildlife value

The small flowers attract native bees and small butterflies during its extended blooming period from March through June.

Common questions

How much sun does Southern Bluet need?: Southern Bluet grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Southern Bluet bloom?: Southern Bluet blooms in March, April, May, and June.
Where is Southern Bluet native?: Southern Bluet (Houstonia micrantha) is native to AL, AR, FL, GA and 7 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Southern Bluet attract?: Southern Bluet draws bees and butterflies.
Is Southern Bluet HOA-friendly?: Southern Bluet takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

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.

Ready to grow Southern Bluet? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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