HOW TO GROW & CARE FOR GAURA PLANTS
Gaura adds texture, movement, and long-lasting color to the summer landscape
Stratosphere™ Pink Picotee gaura. Photo: Proven Winners
Gaura is a native perennial with an open airy habit, four-petaled pink or white flowers, and narrow lance-shaped foliage. The elegant blooms are produced on long, slender stems that move in the slightest breeze, resembling a cloud of fluttering butterflies. This delightful ornamental plant adds fine texture, movement and structure to beds, borders and containers. Flowers are produced for months during the growing season, attracting hummingbirds, butterflies, and a range of insect pollinators.
Native to grasslands and prairies of Texas, Louisiana, and northern Mexico, Gaura is carefree and tolerant of heat, drought, and humidity. Plants develop a deep carrot-like taproot that allows them to survive extended periods of drought. Here’s how to grow and use gaura in your landscape.
On this page: Basics | Planting | Care | Pictures | Frequently Asked Questions | Landscaping Ideas
On this page:
GAURA BASICS
Botanical name:
Oenothera lindheimeri, syn. Gaura lindheimeri, Oenothera gaura
Common names:
Gaura, appleblossom, beeblossom, butterfly flower, butterfly gaura, Indian feather, Lindheimer’s beeblossom, Lindheimer’s clockweed, Lindheimer’s gaura, wandflower, whirling butterflies
Plant type:
Herbaceous perennial, also grown as an annual
Zones:
5-10
Exposure:
Full sun to part sun
Habit:
Open airy growth habit, with a bushy or vase shape
Height/Spread:
1 to 4 feet tall and wide
Bloom time:
Late spring to fall. The heaviest flowering occurs in early summer, with flushes of rebloom into fall.
Flowers:
Pink or white four-petaled flowers resemble butterflies. The small one-inch flowers occur a few at a time on slender upright stems throughout the bloom season. The flowers are a rich source of nectar for butterflies, bees, and other insect pollinators.
Stems:
Thin, wiry, upright stems produce leaves at the base, becoming leafless towards the top where the flowers are produced. Stem coloring can be green, red, or burgundy.
Foliage:
Narrow lance-shaped deciduous leaves are green, mottled, burgundy or variegated.
Toxicity:
The ASPCA lists gaura plant as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Animals may experience some minor digestive upset if any plants are ingested.
Is gaura deer resistant?
Gaura is considered deer resistant, though deer will graze on almost any plant if they are hungry enough.
HOW TO PLANT GAURA
When to plant:
Gaura can be grown from seed or nursery starts. Plant when all danger of frost is past. Varieties grown as an annual should be planted in spring. Perennial varieties can be planted in spring or fall in warmer zones, and are best planted in spring in cooler regions to allow time to become established.
Where to plant:
Choose a site with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight and sandy or loamy soil with good drainage. Plants will benefit from some afternoon shade in hotter climates. Too much shade will cause plants to become lanky and flop. Established plants are difficult to transplant due to the deep carrot-like taproot, so choose a permanent site where it can remain undisturbed.
How to plant:
Loosen soil in the planting area to at least 12 inches to accommodate the deep taproots. Amend soil with compost or other organic matter, making sure there is good drainage. Dig a hole twice as wide and the same depth as the root ball. Remove the plant from its nursery pot and gently loosen roots if potbound. Place plant in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Fill in soil around the root ball, gently tamp down, and water well to remove air pockets. Space plants 2 to 3 feet apart.
GAURA CARE
Container with Stratosphere™ White gaura, Superbells® Coralina calibrachoa, Supertunia® Bermuda Beach® petunia, and Superbena® Peachy Keen verbena. Photo: Proven Winners
Soil:
Gaura prefers lean, sandy soil with a slightly acidic to slightly alkaline pH of 6.1-7.8. Plants are tolerant of poor soil as long as it drains well. Sharp drainage is essential for plants to successfully overwinter. Poor drainage can lead to root rot. Soil that is too rich may cause plants to flop.
For containers, use a high-quality, all-purpose potting soil. Perlite or vermiculite can be added to potting soil to improve drainage.
Amendments & fertilizer:
Gaura does best with little or no supplemental fertilizer. Over-fertilizing may cause plants to produce leggy growth and flop.
Watering:
Plants prefer moderate moisture. Water regularly until established, then thoroughly but less frequently to encourage the taproot to grow deeply into the soil. Overwatering can lead to root rot. Gaura is drought tolerant once established. Water when the top 2 to 3 inches of soil is dry.
Pests and diseases:
When grown in the right conditions, gaura is resistant to most pests and diseases. Pests can include aphids, flea beetles, leaf miners, spider mites and whiteflies. Diseases include leaf spot, powdery mildew, root rot, and rust.
GAURA VARIETIES
Photo by: Proven Winners
Stratosphere™ White — Buy now from Proven Winners
Gaura lindheimeri
Zones: 6-10
Exposure: Full sun to part sun
Habit: Upright compact habit
Height/spread: 12 to 24 inches tall, 8 to 14 inches wide
Bloom time: May through September
This award-winning variety produces snow-white flowers continuously throughout summer. Plants are heat and drought tolerant, and are grown as an annual or tender perennial. Lightly shear plants in midsummer to encourage a compact habit and new blooms. Use this smaller variety as edging, in mass plantings, and containers.
Photo by: Proven Winners
Karalee® Petite Pink — Buy now from Proven Winners
Gaura lindheimeri
Zones: 6-10
Exposure: Full sun to part sun
Habit: Upright compact habit
Height/spread: 14 to 20 inches tall, 12 to 18 inches wide
Bloom time: Summer
Wands of rose-pink flowers are produced on attractive dark-green foliage with burgundy highlights for striking color contrast. Grown as an annual or tender perennial, plants are heat tolerant for extended bloom time. Use in borders, as edging, or in containers.
Photo by: Proven Winners
Stratosphere™ Pink Picotee — Buy now from Proven Winners
Gaura lindheimeri
Zones: 6-11
Exposure: Full sun
Habit: Upright compact habit
Height/spread: 12 to 24 inches tall, 8 to 12 inches wide
Bloom time: May through September
Dainty, soft-pink flowers resembling dancing butterflies occur on wand-like panicles from mid-spring into fall. New leaves emerge in spring with reddish tints, maturing to dark green. Heat and drought tolerant, this variety is grown as an annual or tender perennial. Use in containers, as edging, or massed in the landscape.
Photo by: Wiert Nieuman / Shutterstock
'Whirling Butterflies'
Gaura lindheimeri
Zones: 5-9
Exposure: Full sun to part sun
Habit: Open vase-shaped habit
Height/spread: 2 to 3 feet tall, 1 to 3 feet wide
Bloom time: Early summer into fall
Delicate flowers dance on thin, airy stems, resembling butterflies in flight. Pink buds open to pure white flowers on red stems for pleasing color contrast. This clump-forming herbaceous perennial can be used in rock gardens, meadow landscapes, or waterwise borders.
Photo by: Sopinphusuwan / Shutterstock
'Siskiyou Pink'
Gaura lindheimeri
Zones: 5-9
Exposure: Full sun to part sun
Habit: Upright compact habit
Height/spread: 18 to 24 inches tall, 12 to 24 inches wide
Bloom time: Early summer to fall
Elegant orchid-like flowers flutter along wand-like stems, resembling a cloud of butterflies. Deep-burgundy buds open to rose-pink flowers on open panicles. Narrow lance-shaped green leaves are mottled with maroon, turning shades of red in autumn. Mass this showy variety in the landscape, plant in a rock garden or waterwise strip.
Photo by: N. Stertz / Shutterstock
'Rosy Jane'
Gaura lindheimeri
Zones: 5-9
Exposure: Full sun to part sun
Habit: Upright bushy habit
Height/spread: 1 to 3 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: Late spring to fall
‘Rosy Jane’ is a unique Gaura variety with bicolored flowers and colorful foliage. Bright red buds open to variable blooms that are white with irregular deep pink margins. The attractive dark-green leaves acquire rosy tints as the weather cools later in the growing season. Use this hardy herbaceous perennial as a stunning focal point, in a mixed border, or containers.
Photo by: MShev / Shutterstock
'Deep Whiskers Rose'
Gaura lindheimeri
Zones: 5-10
Exposure: Full sun to part sun
Habit: Compact bushy habit
Height/spread: 14 to 16 inches tall, 12 to 14 inches wide
Bloom time: Late spring to fall
‘Deep Whiskers Rose’ produces large, deep-rose-pink flowers with prominent white stamens that resemble whiskers for a showy effect. Foliage is dark green with hints of burgundy for additional contrast. This hardy perennial has a compact habit suitable for containers, edging, or mass plantings.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Does gaura come back every year?
Gaura is a short-lived herbaceous perennial. Good drainage is essential for plants to overwinter. In colder regions, gaura can be grown as an annual.
Do gaura plants attract hummingbirds?
Gaura flowers are attractive to hummingbirds, which feed on the rich nectar.
Should I cut back gaura?
In early spring, remove any dead, diseased or damaged growth and shape plants as needed. Gaura plants can be cut back by up to half their size to stimulate fresh new growth. In mid-summer after the first flush of blooms, cut back spent flower stems and leggy growth to encourage new flowers and a neater appearance. Avoid removing more than a third of the growth.
Does gaura spread?
Gaura may spread through self-seeding, though it is not considered aggressive, invasive or uncontrollable.
GAURA LANDSCAPING TIPS
Container recipe with Angelface® Super Blue angelonia, Superbells® Plum calibrachoa, Sweet Caroline Raven™ sweet potato vine, and Karalee® Petite Pink gaura. Photo: Proven Winners
For borders and landscapes:
Gaura can be planted in a waterwise border, xeriscape, native landscape, meadow garden, or rock garden.
For slopes and hillsides:
Gaura will benefit from the drainage that a slope or hillside provides. Mass gaura plants so their deep taproot system can help stabilize the soil and stem erosion.
For containers:
Gaura can be planted in containers by itself or in combination with other plants with similar growing needs. Provide a pot that is at least 12 inches deep to accommodate the deep taproot. Make sure containers have adequate drainage holes.
Here are some creative ideas on how to use gaura in your landscape:
- Plant large drifts of gaura in a naturalistic meadow garden to appreciate the movement of the dancing flowers waving in the breeze.
- Site gaura in a mixed border between plants with similar growing needs such as lavender, salvia, globe thistle or rosemary to help keep gaura plants from flopping.
- Add gaura to a cottage-style garden where the loose, informal growth habit will complement other cottage-style plants.
- Include gaura in a native wildflower garden for an easy-care landscape that will support beneficial pollinators and other wildlife.
- Plant gaura in a container by itself as a showy focal point, or in combination with other plants with similar growing needs.
- Include gaura in a rock garden to provide weeks of continuous color.
- Gaura can be planted alongside other tough drought-tolerant plants in a waterwise curbside strip that requires little maintenance or supplemental water.
- Add gaura to deep containers and display where the graceful flowers will sway in a gentle breeze.
- Mass along a slope where the deep taproot system will help control erosion.
Companion plants: Many different plants with similar growing needs complement gaura. These include agave, aster, black-eyed Susan, coneflower, eryngium, gaillardia, lamb’s ear, lavender, liatris, ornamental grasses, potentilla, rock rose, rosemary, Russian sage, salvia, sedum, verbena, wormwood (Artemisia), and yarrow.
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