Stachys floridana

Common Names

Florida Betony, Florida Hedgenettle, Rattlesnake Weed, Wild Artichoke

Summary

Florida betony is a long‑lived perennial herb in the mint family native to Florida, forming erect, densely growing stands with square stems up to 24 inches tall, opposite lance-shaped serrated leaves, and pale-white tubers resembling a rattlesnake tail that break easily; it spreads primarily by rhizomes and tubers and features pink to white flowers with purple spots in clusters from upper leaf axils, along with aromatic, fuzzy grey‑green foliage.

It grows in full sun to partial shade and tolerates wet or dry soils, making it a vigorous weed in flower beds, lawns, and landscapes; management is challenging due to underground tubers and rhizomes. Cultivation and control rely on physical/cultural methods (mulching 2–4 inches to reduce emergence, digging to remove all tubers, hand-pulling for small patches) and chemical options (glyphosate commonly recommended with caution; preemergence herbicides often ineffective; Casoron provides control in ornamentals). The tubers are edible and crisp, sometimes eaten in salads.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

1-2 feet

Spread

3 inches-3 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 8-10

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

No specific ideal soil type; tolerates a wide range of soils, wet or dry.

Soil Drainage

No single ideal drainage; usually moist with occasional inundation; tolerates wet or dry soils.

Soil pH

5.6-8.4, Acid to neutral, Adaptable

Bloom Color

Pink to white with purple spots

Bloom Time

Spring and Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

All four seasons (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division, Tubers, Underground rhizomes

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators