Snake Flower Plant Care

Snake Flower (Hemiandra pungens) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Hemiandra genus. Snake Flower is native to southwestern Western Australia. Snake Flower is also known as Wallaby Weed.

Snake Flower displays a low spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Snake Flower produces small tubular flowers in shades of purple, pink, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 1.5 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Snake Flower every 7–10 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.

Snake Flower thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Hemiandra pungens tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Snake Flower prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter like compost. Good drainage is essential for Snake Flower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Snake Flower 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 well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter like compost. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Snake Flower is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

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.

Snake Flower can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 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 Snake Flower 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.

Snake Flower is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Snake Flower can be propagated through softwood cuttings, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to gardner's snake flower plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Snake Flower is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. 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.

Snake Flower grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Snake Flower is native to southwestern Western Australia. In cooler regions, grow Snake Flower as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.