Physostegia godfreyi Plant Care
Physostegia godfreyi P.D.Cantino
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Physostegia godfreyi, the Appalachicola dragonhead or Godfrey's false dragonhead, is a flowering plant endemic to the southern part of the Florida panhandle from Walton County to Wakulla County. A short-lived perennial it grows up to 1.5 feet tall.
Every 5–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Physostegia godfreyi?
Water Physostegia godfreyi every 5–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Physostegia godfreyi Native To?
What Is the Physostegia godfreyi?
Physostegia godfreyi (Physostegia godfreyi) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Physostegia genus. Physostegia godfreyi is native to the southern part of the Florida panhandle from Walton County to Wakulla County.
Physostegia godfreyi displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Physostegia godfreyi produces tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Physostegia godfreyi?
Physostegia godfreyi requires watering every 5–7 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 5–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Physostegia godfreyi Need?
Physostegia godfreyi thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Physostegia godfreyi Prefer?
Physostegia godfreyi grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Physostegia godfreyi prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Physostegia godfreyi?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Physostegia godfreyi to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Physostegia godfreyi?
Feed Physostegia godfreyi 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 Physostegia godfreyi?
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 Physostegia godfreyi?
Physostegia godfreyi can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to obedient plant plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Physostegia godfreyi Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Physostegia godfreyi, 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 Physostegia godfreyi?
Physostegia godfreyi 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Physostegia godfreyi Need?
Physostegia godfreyi grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Physostegia godfreyi is native to the southern part of the Florida panhandle from Walton County to Wakulla County. In cooler regions, grow Physostegia godfreyi as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Physostegia godfreyi 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 Physostegia genus — compare its care with other Physostegia species on PlantoScan.
Physostegia is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.
Physostegia godfreyi 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: Physostegia godfreyi P.D.Cantino, family Lamiaceae (first published in Rhodora 81: 415 (1979)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Physostegia godfreyi, 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 13a, 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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