Bearded Sand Verbena (Abronia pogonantha)

Photo: My-Lan LeCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped

Bearded Sand Verbena Plant Care

Abronia pogonantha Heimerl

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

With its fuzzy, gray-green foliage and delicate pink flowers, this plant hails from the rocky slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Plant collectors are drawn to Abronia pogonantha for its unique appearance and ability to thrive in dry, rocky conditions.

🌱Herbs🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–80°F

Humidity

50–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Bearded Sand Verbena?

Water Bearded Sand Verbena every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 2 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Bearded Sand Verbena Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Bearded Sand Verbena?

Bearded Sand Verbena (Abronia pogonantha) belongs to the Nyctaginaceae family within the Abronia genus. Bearded Sand Verbena is native to California and Nevada.

Bearded Sand Verbena displays a low mat-forming perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Bearded Sand Verbena produces clusters of small, fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers in various colors.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Bearded Sand Verbena?

Abronia pogonantha requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–14 days

Let soil partially dry between waterings

What Light Does the Bearded Sand Verbena Need?

Bearded Sand Verbena thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Bearded Sand Verbena Prefer?

Abronia pogonantha grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Bearded Sand Verbena prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Temperature

60–80°F

Humidity

50–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Bearded Sand Verbena?

Sandy, well-draining soil mix with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Bearded Sand Verbena to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Bearded Sand Verbena?

Feed Bearded Sand Verbena every 2 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.

Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.

Fertilizing

Every 2 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

How Do You Repot a Bearded Sand Verbena?

Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.

How Do You Propagate a Bearded Sand Verbena?

Bearded Sand Verbena can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to alpine sand verbena plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Bearded Sand Verbena Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Bearded Sand Verbena, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Bearded Sand Verbena?

Bearded Sand Verbena is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Keep exploring plants

Bearded Sand Verbena is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Abronia genus — compare its care with other Abronia species on PlantoScan.

Abronia is part of the Nyctaginaceae plant family — browse all Nyctaginaceae genera and species.

Bearded Sand Verbena thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Abronia Species

Other Abronia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Abronia pogonantha Heimerl, family Nyctaginaceae (first published in Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 11: 87 (1889)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Bearded Sand Verbena, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Photo: My-Lan Le, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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