Red Porterweed, Pink Snakeweed (Stachytarpheta mutabilis)

Red porterweed (Stachytarpheta mutabilis), also called pink snakeweed, is a shrubby, nectar-rich perennial native to the Caribbean and South America. A member of the Verbenaceae family, it's a magnet for butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees.

Description

Grows 3–5 feet tall and wide with an open, airy habit. Stems are square, bearing opposite, toothed, rough-textured leaves. Flowers are small, tubular, coral-pink to red, borne on long, slender, curving spikes that elongate continuously. Blooms from spring to frost (year-round in tropics).

Growing Conditions

• Zones: 9–11 as perennial; grown as annual in cooler zones.
• Light: Full sun to part shade.
• Soil: Well-drained, average fertility. Tolerates poor soil.
• Water: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established.
• Temperature: Heat-loving; damaged below 30°F (-1°C).

Care & Maintenance

Prune lightly to shape or control size. Deadhead spent spikes to encourage more blooms. Feed monthly with balanced fertilizer. Self-seeds moderately; remove seedlings if unwanted. Propagate from cuttings or seed.

Uses

Butterfly gardens, pollinator borders, cottage gardens, and naturalized areas. Excellent in mixed containers for height and continuous color. Deer-resistant.

Potential Issues

Can become weedy in ideal climates (check local invasiveness). Root rot in poorly drained soil. Generally pest-free.

A tough, floriferous native that brings nonstop pollinator action to warm-climate gardens.