PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade; thrives in open meadow or rock garden conditions
Watering
Water regularly during dry spells; tolerant of occasional drought once established
Temperature
Hardy to mild frosts; prefers cool temperate to Mediterranean temperature ranges
Characteristics
- Leaf: Narrow, lanceolate leaves with toothed margins; covered in sticky glandular hairs
- Flower: Tubular, bright pink to red blooms clustered in terminal spikes
- Stem: Erect, branched stems with dense sticky hairs that cling to passing insects
Care Guide
Watering
Keep soil evenly moist during active growth periods
Fertilization
Light feed with diluted organic matter once every 3 weeks. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers to prevent excessive foliage growth at the expense of blooms
Banana peel compost tea：Compost banana peels for 4 weeks, dilute 1:20 with water for root drenching; avoid raw peels to prevent pest infestationsPruning
- Deadhead spent blooms to encourage extended flowering through early summer
- Remove faded foliage after senescence to reduce self-seeding if desired
- Thin dense plant clusters to improve airflow and reduce disease risk
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA: No documented toxicity to cats
Humans: No documented toxicity to humans
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: N/A
Usage: Ornamental wildflower; supports native pollinators including bees and butterflies
