Turtlehead is a clumping native perennial found in moist forested areas of swamps and bogs in the southeastern and central United States.

Clump-forming turtlehead grows 2 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide in partial shade to dappled sun, and does best in humus-rich, moist to wet soil. It is adaptable to any fertile, moist garden soil in sunny to shady locations. Propagate by division, seeds or cuttings.

The rose to purple snapdragon-like flowers occur on terminal spike-like clusters in late summer to fall. Each flower is about 1.5 inches, has two lips and a sparse yellow beard inside the lower lip. It is a host plant for the Baltimore checkerspot butterfly and is pollinator-friendly.

Use this plant along streams, ponds or bogs and in pollinator, native, butterfly, woodland and water gardens.

Deer Resistant! Host plant for the Baltimore Checkerspot Butterflies.