perennialN. America Native

Scorpion Tail

The Story

Plant Bio

Heliotropium angiospermum is a tropical American member of the borage family grown as an annual or short-lived perennial herb with upright to sprawling, softly hairy stems. The leaves are soft-textured and bristly-hairy, and garden plants form a loose 18 to 35 inch mound that can flop open with age.

It is distinguished by tiny white flowers with yellow throats set in two rows along one side of a coiled terminal spike that uncoils as it blooms. Flowering runs nearly year-round where frost-free, supplying steady nectar for bees, butterflies and swallowtails including Miami blue and Schaus swallowtail.

Uses & Benefits:

Low loose mound with continuous white coiled spikes for wildflower borders.

Tolerates heat, sandy soils, and moderate salt for tough coastal sites.

Year-round nectar source for bees, butterflies, and swallowtail hosts.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

30"

Width

35"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

8, 9, 10

Water

Moist to moderately dry

Humidity

Tolerates humidity and moderate salt

Lifespan

Short-lived perennial, often grown as annual

Native To

Florida, Texas, Mexico to South America and Caribbean

Toxicity

Toxic if ingested

Bloom period

Year round

In flower about 12 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Set out after last frost in full sun to part shade in sandy, loamy, or limestone soil.
Space 24 to 36 inches apart to allow the sprawling mound to fill without crowding.
Water to settle in, then water only when the top few inches dry; keep the crown from staying wet.
Clip spent spikes and cut back flopped stems to keep bloom coming and limit self-seeding.

Pro Tip

Cut lanky stems back after each flush to keep the mound tight; plants left uncut flop and look weedy.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Give full sun to part shade with good air movement.
Provide sharp drainage in sandy or limestone soil.
Leave some spent spikes if you want light self-seeding for next season.

Don't

Do not plant in standing water or soil that stays soggy.
Do not ingest leaves, flowers, or homemade teas from this plant.
Do not let pets or livestock graze on it.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Deadhead
Mulch
Pest Check
Plant
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Butterfly and pollinator gardenNative wildflower borderCoastal planting

Companion Plants

Salvia coccinea Coreopsis lanceolata Gaillardia pulchella Lantana involucrata

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Scorpion Tail questions

What zones can Scorpion Tail grow in?

Scorpion Tail is hardy in USDA Zones 8–10: in that range it survives winter in the ground. Colder than Zone 8, grow it in a container you can move to shelter for the winter, or as an annual.

Is Scorpion Tail deer resistant?

Yes — Scorpion Tail is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Scorpion Tail bloom?

Scorpion Tail typically blooms year-round. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Scorpion Tail need full sun?

Scorpion Tail does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Scorpion Tail drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Scorpion Tail handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.