Pink Porterweed Plant Care

Pink Porterweed (Stachytarpheta mutabilis) belongs to the Verbenaceae family within the Stachytarpheta genus. Pink Porterweed is native to Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America. Pink Porterweed is also known as Changeable Porterweed.

Pink Porterweed displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Pink Porterweed produces tall spikes of tubular flowers in shades of blue, purple, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Pink Porterweed every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Pink Porterweed thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Stachytarpheta mutabilis tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Pink Porterweed prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Pink Porterweed to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Pink Porterweed every 4 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Pink Porterweed is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Pink Porterweed can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Pink Porterweed while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Pink Porterweed is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Pink Porterweed can be propagated through stem cuttings, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to cayenne porterweed plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Pink Porterweed 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.

Pink Porterweed grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Pink Porterweed is native to Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America. In cooler regions, grow Pink Porterweed as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.