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Snake Herb at San Antonio Botanical Gardens
Snake Herb
Dyschoriste linearis
Snake Herb is a low-growing Texas native perennial valued for its long bloom season and ability to thrive in heat and drought. Native to much of Texas, it performs especially well in Central and South Texas landscapes. This tough groundcover typically reaches 6–12 inches tall and spreads 2–3 feet wide, forming a loose mat of narrow green foliage. For mass planting, space 18–24 inches apart to allow plants to knit together naturally.
This plant thrives in well-drained soils and tolerates rocky, sandy, and alkaline conditions common throughout Central Texas. Good drainage is essential; it will not tolerate standing water or heavy, poorly drained clay without amendment. Snake Herb prefers full sun but can handle very light shade. In too much shade it becomes thinner and blooms less heavily. Once established, it is highly drought tolerant and well-suited to xeriscape plantings.
From spring through fall, Snake Herb produces bright lavender-purple, snapdragon-like blooms that attract pollinators, making it an excellent choice for supporting local ecosystems. It is not considered poisonous and poses no known toxicity concerns in the landscape. Deer generally leave it alone, especially once mature. In the Texas landscape, it works well as a flowering groundcover, edging plant, rock garden specimen, or filler in native and pollinator gardens.
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Groundcover |
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Drought-tolerant |
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Long blooming period |
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Height:6-12 in
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Spread:2-3 ft
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Spacing:18-24 in
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USDA Hardiness Zone 7a
Characteristics & Attributes
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Deer Tolerance
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Exposure
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Full Sun |
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Full Sun to Part Shade |
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Habit
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Perennial |
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Evergreen |
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Semi Evergreen |
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Soil pH Preference
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Water Needs
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Texas Native
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Tolerates Poor Drainage
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