How to Grow Obedient Plant

Physostegia virginiana · Zones Data not available

Obedient Plant is a perennial grown for its pink blooms, which open in summer and return year after year. Notably, it shrugs off deer and grows just as well in a container as in the ground. Its summer flowers are a moderate draw for honeybees, native bees, and hummingbirds.

Zones

Data not available

pH Range

5.5-7.5

Sun

Full Sun

Days to Maturity

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USDA PLANTS DatabaseUSDA PHZM 2023ASPCA

What Obedient Plant is

Obedient Plant grows as a perennial and reaches around three feet at maturity. It blooms pink in summer. It's also deer-resistant and well suited to containers.

How to grow Obedient Plant

Obedient Plant does best in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 5.5 to 7.5, on well-drained ground.

USDA Zones

Data not available

USDA PHZM 2023

Soil pH

5.5 - 7.5

USDA PLANTS Database

Sun

Full Sun

plant_species_v5.csv

Drainage

well (dry spells)

plant_species_v5.csv

Mature Height

3 ft

plant_species_v5.csv

  1. Start the season right

    Plant obedient plant in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.

  2. Match the soil

    Obedient Plant prefers pH 5.5 to 7.5 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.

  3. Water steadily

    Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. A 2–3 inch mulch layer holds moisture without waterlogging.

  4. Harvest at its peak

    Cut obedient plant blooms in the cool of the morning, just as they open, for the longest display.

Good to know

Good news for pet owners — obedient plant isn't known to be toxic to dogs or cats. (Source: ASPCA.)

Obedient Plant offers moderate value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership.)

Where Obedient Plant thrives

Whether obedient plant thrives on a given site comes down to its soil pH, drainage, sun, and frost dates — the conditions that vary parcel to parcel.

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Your soil pHYour frost-free daysYour sun & shade

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I grow Obedient Plant in my zone?

Zone data for obedient plant is being finalized. A Growable Ground report checks your parcel's full suitability against federal soil, climate, and zone data.

When should you plant Obedient Plant?

Most growers plant obedient plant after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.

How much sun does Obedient Plant need?

Obedient Plant needs full sun — a spot that catches at least 6 hours of direct summer sun a day. In more shade it still grows, but usually gives a smaller, later crop. The catch is that a yard rarely gets even light everywhere — a fence, the house, or one tall tree can quietly take those hours. A Growable Ground report reads the real sun-hours across your land, canopy and buildings included, so you can pick the brightest bed before you plant.

What soil does Obedient Plant need?

Obedient Plant prefers soil pH 5.5 to 7.5, on well-drained ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.

Does Obedient Plant attract pollinators?

Yes — obedient plant's flowers are a solid nectar source for honeybees, native bees, and hummingbirds (Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership).

Is Obedient Plant safe for pets?

Obedient Plant is not known to be toxic to dogs or cats based on available data (ASPCA). Always supervise pets around new plantings.