Photo: no rights reservedCC0 1.0via iNaturalist
Hairy Beardtongue Plant Care
Penstemon hirsutus (L.) Willd.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Penstemon hirsutus is a species of flowering plant in the plantain family known by the common name hairy beard-tongue. It is native to southern Quebec and Ontario, as well as the eastern United States including Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to part shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Hairy Beardtongue?
Water Hairy Beardtongue 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 Hairy Beardtongue Native To?
What Is the Hairy Beardtongue?
Hairy Beardtongue (Penstemon hirsutus) belongs to the Plantaginaceae family within the Penstemon genus. Hairy Beardtongue is native to United States, Canada. Hairy Beardtongue is also known as Hairy Penstemon.
Hairy Beardtongue displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Hairy Beardtongue produces tubular flowers in shades of red, pink, purple, or blue.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Hairy Beardtongue?
Penstemon hirsutus 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 Hairy Beardtongue Need?
Hairy Beardtongue thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Hairy Beardtongue Prefer?
Penstemon hirsutus grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Hairy Beardtongue prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Hairy Beardtongue?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Hairy Beardtongue to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Hairy Beardtongue?
Feed Hairy Beardtongue 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 Hairy Beardtongue?
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 Hairy Beardtongue?
Hairy Beardtongue 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 Hairy Beardtongue Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Hairy Beardtongue, 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 Hairy Beardtongue?
Hairy Beardtongue 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 Hairy Beardtongue Need?
Hairy Beardtongue grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Hairy Beardtongue is native to United States, Canada.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 3a – 8b
Keep exploring plants
Hairy Beardtongue 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.
Hairy Beardtongue 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 hirsutus (L.) Willd., family Plantaginaceae (first published in Sp. Pl., ed. 4 , 3: 227 (1800)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Hairy Beardtongue, 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: Public domain, CC0 1.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 3a – 8b, 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.
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