Photo: Kenzie Anderson-BellCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Foothill Penstemon Plant Care
Penstemon heterophyllus Lindl.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Penstemon heterophyllus is a species of penstemon known by the common names bunchleaf penstemon, foothill penstemon, and foothill beardtongue. It is endemic to California.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to part shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Foothill Penstemon?
Water Foothill 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.
Where Is the Foothill Penstemon Native To?
What Is the Foothill Penstemon?
Foothill Penstemon (Penstemon heterophyllus) belongs to the Plantaginaceae family within the Penstemon genus. Foothill Penstemon is native to California. Foothill Penstemon is also known as Showy Beardtongue, Mountain Pride, California Beardtongue.
Foothill Penstemon displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Foothill Penstemon produces tubular flowers in shades of red, pink, purple, or blue.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Foothill Penstemon?
Penstemon heterophyllus 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 Foothill Penstemon Need?
Foothill Penstemon thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Foothill Penstemon Prefer?
Penstemon heterophyllus grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Foothill Penstemon prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Foothill Penstemon?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Foothill Penstemon to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Foothill Penstemon?
Feed Foothill 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 Foothill 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 Foothill Penstemon?
Foothill 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 Foothill Penstemon Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Foothill 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 Foothill Penstemon?
Foothill 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 Foothill Penstemon Need?
Foothill Penstemon grows outdoors in USDA Zone 7a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 7a. Foothill Penstemon is native to California.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 7a – 10b
Keep exploring plants
Foothill 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.
Foothill 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 heterophyllus Lindl., family Plantaginaceae (first published in Edwards's Bot. Reg. 22: t. 1899 (1836)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Foothill 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.
- Photo: Kenzie Anderson-Bell, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 7a – 10b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Foothill Penstemon Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species