White turtlehead Chelone glabra
White turtlehead (Chelone glabra) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Plantaginaceae family, native to Swamps, wet meadows and stream banks of eastern North America. It grows 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) tall and 40–60 cm (16–24 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about -38 °C (-36 °F). Space plants about 45 cm (18 in) apart.
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White turtlehead at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Plantaginaceae |
| Mature height | 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) |
| Mature spread | 40–60 cm (16–24 in) |
| Spacing | 45 cm (18 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance high |
| Soil pH | 5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -38 °C (-36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | from about August for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Swamps, wet meadows and stream banks of eastern North America |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany |
Is White turtlehead toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with White turtlehead
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
Questions about White turtlehead
- How far apart should I plant White turtlehead?
- About 45 cm (18 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40–60 cm (16–24 in).
- Does White turtlehead need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does White turtlehead need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is White turtlehead?
- It tolerates about -38 °C (-36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does White turtlehead flower?
- From about August for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is White turtlehead poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with White turtlehead?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for White turtlehead. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- Xerces Society pollinator conservation resources (regional plant lists and habitat guides), The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
Notes and assumptions
- Spikes of white, hooded flowers shaped like a turtle’s head in late summer; bumblebees push their way inside. The only host plant of the Baltimore checkerspot butterfly in much of its range. Wants wet soil and some shade.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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- Parry's penstemon Penstemon parryi
- Rice paddy herb (ngò om) Limnophila aromatica
- Angelonia (summer snapdragon) Angelonia angustifolia