Southwestern Penstemon
Penstemon laevis
Last reviewed: September 2026
Toxicity unknown
Southwestern Penstemon (Penstemon laevis) 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
12"–28" H × 8"–14" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul
Native to
AZ, UT
Pollinators
bees, hummingbirds
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
An upright beardtongue with smooth, narrow leaves and tall stems of blue-violet tubular flowers. Grows in dry, sandy or rocky soils.
In an HOA neighborhood
Southwestern Penstemon is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: rock gardens, low water beds, border edges.
Wildlife value
Tubular flowers provide nectar for native bees, and hummingbirds visit on occasion.
Common questions
- How much sun does Southwestern Penstemon need?
- Southwestern Penstemon grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Southwestern Penstemon bloom?
- Southwestern Penstemon blooms in May, June, and July.
- Where is Southwestern Penstemon native?
- Southwestern Penstemon (Penstemon laevis) is native to AZ, UT, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Southwestern Penstemon attract?
- Southwestern Penstemon draws bees and hummingbirds.
- Is Southwestern Penstemon HOA-friendly?
- Southwestern 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 Southwestern Penstemon? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant