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Native Plant Society of Texas

White Mistflower

Ageratina havanensis

Other common name(s):

Shrubby Boneset, White Shrub Mistflower, Havana Snakeroot

Family:

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Edwards Plateau, Southern Texas Plains
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Semiarid Edwards Bajada

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Shrub

Height

3
to
5
ft.

Spread

3
to
5
ft.

Leaf Retention

Semi Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Clay, Dry, Gravelly, Limestone, Loam, Sand, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Larval Host, Nectar, Seeds

Wildlife Benefit

Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Moths

Maintenance

Drought tolerant. Adapts to most well drained soils. Cut back by 1/2 in winter before new growth begins, if more compact form is desired, or if growing in a small space. In drier areas tends to bloom more toward late summer and fall. Will bloom in the spring and early summer with more rainfall. Could benefit from some shade from the hot afternoon sun. Although its native habitat is the Edwards Plateau, down to the South Plains Ecoregions, it is adaptable to a variety of soils and has become very popular in gardens throughout Texas, but may need extra care when grown outside of its native region. Native habitat: rocky hillsides and bluffs, ledges along streams, limestone outcrops and slopes, oak-juniper woodlands.

Description

Blooms April-December depending on the growing conditions. A rounded shape bush with clusters of fragrant white flowers. Looks similar to Late Boneset (Eupatorium serotinum), but has woody stems and smaller, triangular shaped leaves. The fruit is a cypsela: a dry, one-seeded fruit, usually topped by pappus. Larval host: Rawson’s Metalmark.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Eupatorium havanense, Eupatorium texense

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Stem Cutting Strip off the leaves from the bottom inch or two of the stem to expose the nodes. You can use a mixture of potting soil, perlite, and vermiculite, or simply a seed starting mix. Fill a small pot or tray with the rooting medium and moisten it. Insert your cuttings. Gently make a hole in the rooting medium with a pencil or your finger and insert the bottom end of the cutting. Mist the cuttings and the surrounding air with water. To create a humid environment, you can cover the pot with a plastic wrap or a clear plastic dome. Keep the cuttings in a warm, bright location, but avoid direct sunlight. Patience is key, it can take 2-4 weeks for roots to develop. Check the soil moisture regularly and water when it feels dry. Look for strong, green stems that are about 4-6 inches long. Make a clean cut: Use sharp shears or a knife to make a clean, angled cut just below a node (the point where leaves grow). https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-ageratina-havanensis/
Clump Division Use a sharp knife or garden trowel to divide the plant into several smaller sections, each with its own roots and shoots. Plant the divided sections in individual pots or in the garden, making sure to water them well. Carefully remove the plant from its pot, making sure not to disturb the roots too much. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-ageratina-havanensis/

About the Region

2026 Fall Symposium Logo

This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason