Photo: no rights reservedCC0 1.0via iNaturalist
Obedient Plant Plant Care
Physostegia virginiana Benth.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Physostegia virginiana, the obedient plant, obedience or false dragonhead, is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae. It is native to North America, where it is distributed from eastern Canada to northern Mexico.
Every 5–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Obedient Plant?
Water Obedient Plant 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 Obedient Plant Native To?
What Is the Obedient Plant?
Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Physostegia genus. Obedient Plant is native to North America. Obedient Plant is also known as False Dragonhead, Virginia Obedient Plant, American Obedient Plant.
Obedient Plant displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Obedient Plant produces tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Obedient Plant?
Physostegia virginiana 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 Obedient Plant Need?
Obedient Plant thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Obedient Plant Prefer?
Physostegia virginiana grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Obedient Plant prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Obedient Plant?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Obedient Plant to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Obedient Plant?
Feed Obedient Plant 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 Obedient Plant?
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 Obedient Plant?
Obedient Plant can be propagated through division, seeds.
Is the Obedient Plant Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Obedient Plant, 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 Obedient Plant?
Obedient Plant 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 Obedient Plant Need?
Obedient Plant grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Obedient Plant is native to North America. In cooler regions, grow Obedient Plant as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Obedient Plant 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.
Obedient Plant 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 virginiana Benth., family Lamiaceae (first published in Edwards's Bot. Reg. 15: sub t. 1289. 1829; Lab. Gen. et Sp. 504.) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Obedient Plant, 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 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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