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Native Plant Society of Texas

Drummond's Hedgenettle

Stachys drummondii

Other common name(s):

Pink Mint

Family:

Lamiaceae (Mint 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.

Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes
Coastal Sand Plain, Floodplains and Low Terraces4, Laguna Madre Barrier Island and Coastal Marshes, Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Mid-Coast Barrier Islands and Coastal Marshes, Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Texas-Louisiana Coastal Marshes

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

1
to
3
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Annual

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Loam, Clay, Moist

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low, Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Pink, Purple

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Flowers

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Nectar Insects, Moths

Maintenance

Endemic to Texas. Can grow as annual or biennial. Makes a good groundcover. Can be transplanted successfully during winter and spring, even while in full bloom. Not finicky regarding soil type or placement. Forms large colonies. Propagation: seed, root division.

Comments

Blooms February-July. Low growing form with soft, oval to heart shaped leaves. Two-lipped orchid like flowers spiral up erect stems. The bottom flower lip is larger and speckled with dark pink and white markings. The fruit ripens into four, one-seeded small black nutlets.

References

1) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=32335#null, 2) https://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=13782&locationType=County&mapType=Normal, 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=STDR, 4) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Stachys+drummondii, 5) https://rgvctmn.org/blog/butterflies-are-in-the-pink-pink-mint-that-is/, 6) chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.riodeltawild.com/janjune2003/Stachys%20drummondii.pdf, 7) https://oaktrust.library.tamu.edu/handle/1969.1/194687. 8) https://garden.org/plants/view/85437/Drummonds-Hedgenettle-Stachys-drummondii/, 9) Tveten, John and Gloria, Wildflowers of Houston, 1997, page 208. 10) Ajilvsgi, Geyata, Wildflowers of Texas, 1984, page 257.

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost in your region. Use a well-draining seed starting mix and lightly press the seeds into the surface. Don’t bury them deep, as they need light to germinate. Maintain a consistent temperature of 70-75°F and keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. A humidity dome can help retain moisture. Germination typically takes 10-14 days. Once seedlings emerge, remove the dome and provide ample indirect sunlight. After the last frost, gradually acclimate the seedlings to outdoor conditions for a week before transplanting them to their final location. 1) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-stachys-drummondii/ 2) https://garden.org/plants/view/85437/Drummonds-Hedgenettle-Stachys-drummondii/ 3) https://www.selinawamucii.com/plants/lamiaceae/stachys-drummondii/#google_vignette
Bud Division Carefully dig around the plant, ensuring you capture the entire root system. Gently separate the clump into smaller sections, making sure each division has a healthy amount of roots and shoots. Replant the divisions at the same depth they were previously growing, water thoroughly, and mulch to help retain moisture. Divide established clumps in spring or fall. Replant the divisions at the same depth they were previously growing, water thoroughly, and mulch to help retain moisture. Using sharp, sterilized shears, cut a 4-6 inch long piece of stem just below a leaf node. Remove the lower leaves, leaving 2-3 pairs at the top. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-stachys-drummondii/
Stem Cutting Using sharp, sterilized shears, cut a 4-6 inch long piece of stem just below a leaf node. Remove the lower leaves, leaving 2-3 pairs at the top. Dipping the cut end in rooting hormone powder can encourage faster root development. In spring or early summer, choose healthy stems that are free of flowers or buds. Plant the cuttings in a well-draining potting mix, burying the bottom node or two. Keep the soil consistently moist and place the cuttings in a warm, humid environment (a plastic bag over the pot works well). Roots should develop within 4-6 weeks. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-stachys-drummondii/

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason