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Linaria texana

Texas toadflax

Plantaginaceae Southern and central North America

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

Overview

Linaria texana is a slender annual or biennial wildflower in the plantain family, growing 8-24 in (20-60 cm) tall on thin, upright stems. Low non-flowering shoots spread along the ground in a loose mat, while the flowering stems rise vertically and bear narrow, linear leaves. From late winter into spring it produces loose spikes of small blue to violet flowers about 0.3-0.4 in (8-10 mm) long, each with a two-lipped, snapdragon-like face, a white-marked throat, and a slender backward-pointing spur. The flowers open from the bottom of the spike upward over several weeks. Tiny seeds form in rounded capsules and scatter when the stems dry. It grows in sandy fields, roadsides, open woods, and disturbed ground across the southern and central United States, often forming drifts of pale blue in early spring. As a short-lived plant it relies on reseeding and fades by early summer. Its slight, wiry frame contributes little mass to a planting and registers mainly when grown in drifts.

Native Range

Linaria texana is native to North America, ranging across the southern and central United States from the Southeast west to California and north into the Great Plains, and south into northern Mexico. It grows in open, sandy, and disturbed ground.

Suggested Uses

Used in wildflower meadows, native plantings, and naturalized sandy areas, sown to form spring drifts. Combines with other cool-season annual wildflowers in lean, sunny ground. Suited to roadside and restoration seed mixes within its range.

How to Identify

Identify by the slender upright stems, narrow linear leaves, and loose spikes of small blue-violet snapdragon-like flowers with a pale throat and a thin backward spur. Each flower is about 0.3-0.4 in (8-10 mm) long. Low trailing shoots at the base separate it from upright-only relatives.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 2'

Width/Spread4" - 8"

Colors

Flower Colors

blue

purple

Foliage Colors

green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks

Winter Spring

Small blue to violet flowers open from late winter through spring, mainly February to May depending on latitude. Bloom progresses up the spike over several weeks. Bees and other small pollinators work the flowers, reaching nectar held in the spur.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

blue to violet

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun on sandy, well-drained soils of low fertility and tolerates drought and poor ground. Soil pH from 6.0 to 7.5 is suitable. It establishes from seed sown directly in fall or late winter and does not transplant well once rooted. Water is needed mainly to start seedlings, while mature plants need little. Rich or wet soils shorten the life and reduce flowering. It self-sows freely where the soil stays open and bare.

Pruning

No pruning is needed for this short-lived plant. Stems can be left to set and drop seed for the next season, or pulled once flowering ends to limit reseeding. Cutting plants while in flower shortens an already brief display.