Physostegia purpurea (Physostegia purpurea) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Eastern false dragonhead
Family
Lamiaceae (mint family)
Origin
South-eastern United States
Water
freshwater
Care level
expert
Lighting
High light; best grown emersed

Care

Physostegia purpurea is a false dragonhead, a member of the mint family from the south-eastern United States, where it grows in wet ground such as marshy meadows and pine savannas. We could not reach a detailed source page for it, so little is recorded here about its size or how it copes underwater. It is essentially a marsh or bog plant, and long-term submerged growth is doubtful. It is best grown emersed in a paludarium or at the edge of a pond, with roots in wet soil. No water figures are given, as there is no source basis for them. Sources: Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Expect it to spread by underground runners and to grow from cuttings and seed, like other false dragonheads.

Compatibility and tank mates

A marsh plant: not suited to living fully underwater with fish. Use in paludariums and bog gardens.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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