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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

Shrub

Height

1
to
3
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Clay, Dry, Loam, Sand

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Disturbed Areas, Grassland, Shrubland, Woodland Edge

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Blue, Purple

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Bees, Butterflies, Nectar Insects

Maintenance

Texas Verbena is drought-tolerant and ideal for a xeriscape garden, wildflower meadow, or pocket prairie. Grows well in a variety of soils. Native habitat: rich thickets, woodland borders, prairies, open woodlands, roadsides.

Description

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
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/
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/

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