Texas water-hyssop Plant Care

Texas water-hyssop (Bergia texana) belongs to the Elatinaceae family within the Bergia genus. Texas water-hyssop is native to the western and central United States and northern Mexico.

Texas water-hyssop displays a low rosette, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Texas water-hyssop produces small, inconspicuous white or pink flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Texas water-hyssop every 3–5 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Texas water-hyssop thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Bergia texana tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Texas water-hyssop prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Moist, loamy soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Texas water-hyssop to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Texas water-hyssop every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

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

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and moist, loamy soil with good drainage. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Texas water-hyssop is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Texas water-hyssop can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Texas water-hyssop while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Texas water-hyssop is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Texas water-hyssop can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps.

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

Texas water-hyssop 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.

Texas water-hyssop grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Texas water-hyssop is native to the western and central United States and northern Mexico. In cooler regions, grow Texas water-hyssop as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.