Photo: Barnes Dr Thomas G, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Obedient Plant
Physostegia, the obedient plant, bears neat spikes of tubular, snapdragon-like flowers in pink, white, lavender and purple, named for the way each bloom stays put when nudged along the stem. Florists use it as an easy, versatile line flower that brings soft vertical structure to garden-style bouquets and seasonal arrangements. Its cottage-garden charm suits relaxed late-summer and autumn palettes. Reliable and long in the vase, it is a dependable filler-to-line stem for everyday and wedding work alike.
| Family | Lamiaceae |
|---|---|
| Origin | North America |
| Peak season | August, September |
| Availability | July, August, September, October |
| Stem length | 40–90 cm |
| Vase life | 5–8 days |
| Colors | pink, white, purple, lavender |
| Price tier | mid |
Cut stems on an angle and condition in cool, clean water with flower food, stripping the lower square-stemmed foliage below the waterline. It is an easy, reliable drinker that needs little fuss beyond fresh water. Remove spent lower florets as the spike opens upward, and keep it out of direct heat to extend its vase life.
- •Cut stems at an angle
- •Use cool, clean water with flower food
- •Strip lower foliage below the waterline
- •Remove spent lower florets
- •Refresh water regularly
- •Keep out of direct heat
Bouquet Builder — by Lacy BirdDesign the bouquet. See it as a photo.
Botanical reference
- Common name
- False Dragonhead
- Also known as
- false dragonhead, obedience plant, Dracocephalum virginianum, Physostegia intricata, Physostegia virginiana virginiana
- Distribution
- Alabama, Alberta, Arkansas, British Columbia, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana
Open-data sources: GBIF, Wikidata (CC0/CC BY)
Frequently asked questions
When is Obedient Plant in season?
Obedient Plant peaks in August, September, and florists can usually source it July, August, September, October. Availability shifts by region and greenhouse supply.
How long does Obedient Plant last in a vase?
Expect 5–8 days with proper conditioning — a clean vase, fresh water every couple of days, flower food, and a cool spot away from ripening fruit and direct heat.
What can I use instead of Obedient Plant?
Good substitutes for Obedient Plant include Snapdragon, Veronica, Larkspur, Liatris. Match on look, colour and season — our substitute finder ranks the closest alternatives.
What does Obedient Plant symbolise?
Obedient Plant is associated with obedience, calm, devotion.
How do you care for cut Obedient Plant?
Cut stems at an angle
Related flowers
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Lacy Bird Flower Encyclopedia — “Obedient Plant”. https://lacybird.com/flowers/physostegia/<a href="https://lacybird.com/flowers/physostegia/">Lacy Bird Flower Encyclopedia — Obedient Plant</a>