Nevada Beardtongue Plant Care
Penstemon neotericus D.D.Keck
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Penstemon neotericus is a species of penstemon known by the common name Plumas County beardtongue. It is endemic to California, where it is known from the northern Sierra Nevada and adjacent southern peaks of the Cascade Range.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to part shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Nevada Beardtongue?
Water Nevada 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 Nevada Beardtongue Native To?
What Is the Nevada Beardtongue?
Nevada Beardtongue (Penstemon neotericus) belongs to the Plantaginaceae family within the Penstemon genus. Nevada Beardtongue is native to California.
Nevada Beardtongue displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Nevada Beardtongue produces tubular flowers in shades of red, pink, purple, or blue.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Nevada Beardtongue?
Penstemon neotericus 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 Nevada Beardtongue Need?
Nevada Beardtongue thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Nevada Beardtongue Prefer?
Penstemon neotericus grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Nevada Beardtongue prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Nevada Beardtongue?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Nevada Beardtongue to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Nevada Beardtongue?
Feed Nevada 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 Nevada 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 Nevada Beardtongue?
Nevada Beardtongue can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to foxglove beardtongue plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Nevada Beardtongue Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Nevada 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 Nevada Beardtongue?
Nevada 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 Nevada Beardtongue Need?
Nevada Beardtongue grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Nevada Beardtongue is native to California. In cooler regions, grow Nevada Beardtongue as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Nevada 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.
Nevada Beardtongue thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Penstemon Species
Other Penstemon species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Penstemon neotericus D.D.Keck, family Plantaginaceae (first published in Univ. Calif. Publ. Bot. 16: 398 (1932)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Nevada 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.
- 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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