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Teucrium canadense

American germander

Lamiaceae North America

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterHigh

HardinessZones 3–9

Overview

Teucrium canadense is a rhizomatous perennial in the mint family, forming colonies of upright, square stems 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) tall. The lance-shaped to oblong leaves are 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long, toothed along the margins, medium green above and pale and downy beneath. From early summer the stems are topped by slender spike-like racemes 3-8 inches (8-20 cm) long. Each flower is pinkish-purple to lavender, occasionally cream, about 0.5-0.6 inch (12-15 mm) long, with a greatly enlarged lower lip and a reduced upper lip that exposes four arching stamens. Bees and other pollinators work the flowers through summer. The plant spreads steadily by underground rhizomes and can form broad patches that crowd less vigorous neighbours, so it is hard to contain in a small bed. It grows naturally in moist meadows, marsh edges, stream banks, and thickets, tolerating periodic flooding and heavy soils. Foliage dies back to the ground in autumn and resprouts from the rhizomes in spring.

Native Range

Native across much of North America, from southern Canada through most of the United States into northern Mexico. It is largely absent from parts of the arid interior west.

Suggested Uses

Planted in rain gardens, pond and stream margins, wet meadows, and naturalized areas where its spread is welcome. It stabilizes moist banks and supports pollinators. It is too vigorous for tight mixed borders.

How to Identify

Identify it by square stems, opposite toothed leaves that are pale and downy beneath, and terminal spike-like racemes of two-lipped flowers. The flowers appear to lack an upper lip: the lower lip is large while four stamens arch forward over the throat. Crushed foliage carries a faint sage-like scent. Stems reach 1-3 feet (30-90 cm).

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 3'

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Summer

Flowering runs from June to September, peaking in midsummer. Individual racemes open over several weeks from the base upward. In moist sites a second flush can follow cutting back.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

pinkish-purple to lavender, occasionally cream

Foliage Description

medium green above, pale and downy beneath

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-9 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 Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay silt

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years to flowering size

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Teucrium canadense grows in full sun to partial shade on moist to wet soils, including clay and periodically flooded ground. Steady moisture supports the densest growth, though established plants tolerate short dry spells. Rich or constantly damp soil encourages rapid rhizomatous spread, so the colony is confined with a root barrier or regular division where space is limited. It needs no fertiliser in average ground. Cutting stems back after flowering keeps the planting compact and can prompt rebloom. Foliage is largely untroubled by deer and rabbits.

Pruning

Cut spent flowering stems back in late summer to limit self-seeding and renew growth. Clear the dead top growth in late autumn or early spring. Lift and divide congested clumps every few years to control spread.

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Unknown