Golden-bearded Penstemon Plant Care
Penstemon auriberbis Pennell
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Penstemon auriberbis, commonly known as the Colorado penstemon or Colorado beardtongue, is a species of Penstemon that grows in the shortgrass prairies of southern Colorado and in a few places in northern New Mexico. Although specimens were collected on the 1820 expedition by Stephen H.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to part shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Golden-bearded Penstemon?
Water Golden-bearded Penstemon every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to part shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Golden-bearded Penstemon?
Golden-bearded Penstemon (Penstemon auriberbis) belongs to the Plantaginaceae family within the Penstemon genus.
Golden-bearded Penstemon displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Golden-bearded Penstemon produces tubular flowers in shades of red, pink, purple, or blue.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Golden-bearded Penstemon?
Penstemon auriberbis requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Golden-bearded Penstemon Need?
Golden-bearded Penstemon thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Golden-bearded Penstemon Prefer?
Penstemon auriberbis grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Golden-bearded Penstemon prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Golden-bearded Penstemon?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Golden-bearded Penstemon to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Golden-bearded Penstemon?
Feed Golden-bearded Penstemon every 6 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 6 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 Golden-bearded Penstemon?
Repot every 2-3 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 Golden-bearded Penstemon?
Golden-bearded Penstemon can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to rocky mountain penstemon plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Golden-bearded Penstemon Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Golden-bearded Penstemon, 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 Golden-bearded Penstemon?
Golden-bearded Penstemon is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, powdery mildew. 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Golden-bearded Penstemon Need?
Golden-bearded Penstemon grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Golden-bearded Penstemon as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Golden-bearded Penstemon 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 Penstemon genus — compare its care with other Penstemon species on PlantoScan.
Penstemon is part of the Plantaginaceae plant family — browse all Plantaginaceae genera and species.
Golden-bearded Penstemon thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Penstemon auriberbis Pennell, family Plantaginaceae (first published in Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 20: 339 (1920)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Golden-bearded Penstemon, 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.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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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