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Native Plant Society of Texas

Texas Verbena

Verbena halei

Other common name(s):

Slender Verbena, Texas Verbena, Slender Vervain

Family:

Verbenaceae (Verbena 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.

Central Great Plains, Chihuahuan Deserts, Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Southern Texas Plains, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Broken Red Plains, Limestone Plains, Red Prairie
Chihuahuan Basins and Playas, Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau
Carbonate Cross Timbers, Eastern Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie, Limestone Cut Plain, Western Cross Timbers
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, Northern Post Oak Savanna, Northern Prairie Outliers, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
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
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces, Semiarid Edwards Bajada, Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

1
to
3
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Blue, Purple

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Nectar Insects, Bees

Maintenance

Texas Verbena is drought-tolerant and ideal for a xeriscape garden, wildflower meadow, or pocket prairie. Grows well in a variety of soils and full sun. Propagation: seed, root division.

Comments

Blooms February-November. The plant has square-shaped stems which are erect, rough, and hairy. Leaves are highly variable, with the bottom leaves deeply cut in some cases and the upper leaves slightly toothed, or sometimes with smooth margins. Tiny, delicate lavender trumpet-shaped flowers adorn the slender, branched, spikes. The fruit a dry, sectioned capsule with several seeds, called a schizocarp.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Verbena officinalis ssp. halei

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment Verbena halei appears to exhibit recalcitrant seed behavior, meaning its seeds have a very short viability window and are difficult to germinate under typical conditions. Sow indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost or outdoors directly into the ground after the danger of frost has passed. Place seeds on the surface lightly covered with soil. Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds. Store them in a cool, dry place until you're ready to sow. 1) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-verbena-halei/ 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=VEHA 3) https://greg.app/propagate-verbena-halei/
Clump Division Replant the divisions immediately in well-prepared soil, maintaining adequate moisture until they establish themselves. Older, well-established plants divide more easily. The best time for division is during spring or early autumn, after flowering has subsided but before the onset of winter. Water the plant thoroughly a day before to ease division and reduce stress. Carefully dig up the plant, gently separate the root crown into smaller divisions, ensuring each division contains sufficient roots and healthy stems. 1) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-verbena-halei/ 2) https://greg.app/propagate-verbena-halei/
Stem Cutting Dip the cut ends in rooting hormone powder to encourage root development. Plant the cuttings in moist soil or a well-draining propagating mix (e.g., a blend of perlite and peat moss) and kept consistently moist but not soggy, or place directly in water. Cover the cuttings with a humidity dome or plastic bag to maintain high humidity levels. Provide bright, indirect light. Rooting typically takes several weeks. Taking cuttings during the active growing season (spring or early summer) is crucial. Using semi-hardwood cuttings (partially matured stems) generally yields better results. Take cuttings approximately 4-6 inches long, removing the lower leaves to prevent rot. Make a clean cut below a leaf node. 1) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-verbena-halei/ 2) https://greg.app/propagate-verbena-halei/

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