•Status in Florida: Native
•Size at Maturity: Blue Porterweed typically grows as a perennial herbaceous plant, reaching heights of about 1 to 3 feet tall.
•Phenology: Perennial herb with slender stems, opposite leaves, and clusters of small, blue to purple flowers that bloom throughout the year in warm climates.
•Life Cycle: Perennial
•Bloom Season: Throughout the year in warm climates
•Deciduous, Dioecious, Evergreen: Evergreen
•Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
•Soil Texture: Well-drained sandy or loamy soils; tolerant of various soil types
•Soil pH: Tolerant of a wide range, but prefers slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5-7.0)
•Moisture Requirements: Tolerant of drought once established; prefers moderately moist soil
•Tolerance to Salt Spray: Moderate tolerance
•Recommended Landscape Uses: Butterfly gardens, pollinator gardens, native plant gardens, naturalized areas
•Maintenance Tips: Low maintenance; prune back as needed to control size and promote bushiness; may benefit from occasional fertilization with a balanced fertilizer
•Considerations: Blue Porterweed is highly attractive to butterflies and other pollinators and provides important habitat and food for various wildlife species.
•Deer and/or Rabbit Resistance: Moderately resistant; typically not preferred by deer or rabbits
•Edible: While not typically consumed by humans, some species of Porterweed are used in traditional medicine for various purposes.
•Medicinal Uses: Historically used in traditional medicine for various purposes, including as a treatment for digestive issues and as a mild sedative.
•Toxicity to Pets: Not known to be toxic to pets, but ingestion of large quantities of plant material may cause gastrointestinal upset.
•Florida Native Companion Plant: Stokes Aster (Stokesia leavis), Tickseed (Coreopsis spp.)
•Wildlife Benefit: Attracts pollinators such as butterflies and bees; provides habitat and food for birds, insects, and other wildlife.
•Caterpillar Host Plant: Blue Porterweed is a host plant for the caterpillars of various butterfly species, including the Tropical Buckeye (Junonia genoveva) and the White Peacock (Anartia jatrophae).
