How to Grow Texas Bluebonnet Flowers

About Growing Texas Bluebonnet Plants in Your Flower Garden

Texas Bluebonnet plants are colorful, hardy annuals. They are easy to grow, and a favorite for their deep blue color. However, people are often surprised to discover that there are several other flower colors. It is the state flower of Texas. Actually, it is one of five Texas state flowers- five varieties of annual Texas Bluebonnets flowers. A member of the Lupine family, they are native to Texas. This guide on “How to Grow Texas Bluebonnet Flowers” will help you to grow this wildflower in whatever state you live in.

Texas Bluebonnets are commonly found growing wild along roadsides and in fields. The flowers bloom in the spring, atop lacy, sage-green foliage. Flowers bloom on spikes and are dark blue, with the florets on the top turning to white. After pollination, it is normal for the lower petals to turn red. When in bloom, the flowers attract butterflies.

Texas Bluebonnets make great wildflowers for fields. They also do well in your flower gardens, or as container plants.

Texas Bluebonnet Plant Specifications

Flower Colors: Flowers bloom in shades of blue, pink, purple, red, white, yellow, and bi-colors.

Flowers Bloom: From early Spring to Summer

Plant height: One to two feet tall.

Ideal Soil pH: 5.0 – 7.5.

Plant Hardiness Zones: 4 – 8

Light Needs: Full sunlight.

Toxic Plant?: Yes.

Deer Resistant? Yes. The plants are resistant to deer, rabbits, and other foraging animals.

Number of Species: Five

Plant Type: Annuals

Native To: Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and parts of Mexico.

Botanical Name: Lupinus subcarnosus, Lupinus Texensis

Other Names: Buffalo Clover and Wolf Clover

Are Texas Bluebonnet Flowers Edible?

NO!!

Like other members of the Lupinis plant family, Texas Bluebonnet Flowers are toxic. They are poisonous for humans, pets, and farm animals. If you have small children, we suggest you grow another plant for their safety.

Medicinal Uses for Texas Bluebonnet Flowers

Texas Bluebonnet plants have a variety of medicinal uses. It has anti-inflammatory properties. Native Americans in Texas used the plant for a variety of applications. Here are some of them:

Use it as a topical treatment for sore muscles and skin irritations.
Make a tea with the dried flowers and leaves. It has a calming effect and relieves stress.
Use it to relieve insect bites.

Important Note: As a toxic plant we strongly recommend you do not make home remedies from this plant without the proper training.

Light Requirements

The plants do their best when grown in full, direct sunlight. Select a planting location where they will receive at least eight to ten hours of bright sunlight. The flowers will not bloom in insufficient light levels.

Texas Bluebonnet Plant Propagation

Texas Bluebonnet flowers thrive in warm weather areas in the southern part of the country. The best time to sow seeds is in the mid to late fall. They germinate and grow over the winter months. Germination can be difficult and slow. And, the seeds may not sprout at the same time. Sow the seeds 1/8″ to 1/4″ deep. For large, mass plantings, broadcast-spread the seeds. Then, lightly rake them into the soil.

They can be directly seeded into your flower garden or started indoors for transplanting later. In Texas, they are planted in late fall and over-wintered. In more northerly, areas they are best started indoors or after the last frost date.

Garden Tip: For faster and more successful germination, soak seeds for 72 hours before planting.

Also, for indoor starts, we recommend using a heated germination mat, to increase the speed of germination. And, it, results in a higher germination rate.

Final Plant Spacing: Space plants 12 – 18 inches apart.

Days to Germination: Seeds sprout in 7 – 14 days.

About Seed Germination

How to Grow Texas Bluebonnet Flower Plants

Planting location and soil needs:

Like other wildflowers, Texas Bluebonnets are a low-maintenance plant. Once established, they will thrive all season long. That leaves you with time to tend to other plants, and to enjoy the sea of blue spring blooms atop your Texas Bluebonnet. The plants grow best in full sunlight. They will do well in gravelly, well-drained soils. However, do not like heavy, clay soils that retain a lot of moisture.

The plants are excellent reseeders. So, select a location where they can grow undisturbed for many ears.

Mix in some compost into the planting site. After planting, apply a balanced fertilizer. Then, water the planting site.

Fertilizer needs:

In poor soils, apply a general-purpose fertilizer every four to six weeks during the growing season. In average to rich soils, you do not need to add fertilizer during the season.

Water needs:

The plants are drought tolerant. It’s one of the reasons why Texas Bluebonnet plants are excellent wildflowers. Allow the soil to dry between watering. Most likely, you will only need to water the plant during extended periods of hot and dry weather.

Other steps:

Keep the area well-weeded when the plants are young, so they do not need to compete with weeds for soil moisture and nutrients.

If you grow them in flower gardens, apply a two to three -inch layer of mulch around the plants. This creates a neat and tidy appearance. And, it helps to retain soil moisture.

How to Grow Texas Bluebonnet Plants in Flowerpots and Containers

Because they are toxic, Texas Bluebonnet flowers are not a popular choice to grow in flowerpots and containers. However, people without children or pets may choose to grow them on their patio or deck.

For those who want to grow them on a balcony or patio, here are a few additional steps:

These flowers tolerate a little overcrowding. So, grow them in containers a little closer than the normal recommended spacing.
Select a sunny location on your patio or deck.
It is important to have a drain hole in the container to allow excess water to drain from the pot.
The plant grows best in slightly dry soil. Keep an eye on the moisture level. Check the plants every few days, especially in extended periods of hot, dry weather.
Keep the soil slightly moist, but not wet. It is okay to let the top of the soil to dry between watering.
When watering the plants, thoroughly wet the soil. Excess water will drain through the hole in the bottom of the flowerpot.
Nutrients in a flowerpot are limited. So, use fertilizer spikes to feed the plants. Or, apply a light solution of liquid fertilizer once a month.

Pruning

The plant requires little or no pruning. Simply remove the occasional sick, dead, or damaged leaves as you spot them.

Also, remove spent flower blooms.

If you want to harvest some of the seeds, leave a few spent blooms on a couple of the plants.

Insects and Plant Disease

Annual Texas Bluebonnet plants are a favorite plant of pillbugs and sowbugs in Texas. In other areas, nocturnal slugs, snails, and other pests may be a problem.

Disease problems are not too common. Use a fungicide, only if a problem occurs.

Also see: Plant Problems – Identify the causes and find the cures, too.