Blue Witches Hat (Pycnostachys urticifolia)
Best choice for gardeners seeking vibrant winter color and easy maintenance.
Brighten your winter garden with the captivating Blue Witches Hat, a South African shrub known for its reliable blooming from fall through spring. This plant showcases unique, hat-like flower clusters in a striking 4-inch cobalt blue. Its glossy, heart-shaped green foliage adds visual appeal, creating a beautiful contrast. Easy to maintain with simple pruning after flowering, it's an ideal choice for adding continuous seasonal interest and vibrant color to your home landscape. It often blooms in its first year, providing immediate garden impact.
$14.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
61
/ 2656
#61 in Plants
Price vs Category Average
-66%
Below average
Pot Size
2.5
/ "
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking rare, vibrant indigo color for their landscape
- Conservationists looking to support local bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
- Homeowners wanting late-season color after other plants have faded
Who should skip it
- Gardeners in cooler climates wanting low-maintenance, year-round outdoor plants
- Urban gardeners with limited space or those avoiding frequent pruning
- Indoor plant owners concerned about managing common pest infestations
Performance breakdown
Bloom Longevity
Reliable flowering from fall through spring provides exceptional seasonal color.
Visual Impact
The unique cobalt blue clusters create a striking focal point.
Maintenance Ease
Simple pruning requirements make this shrub manageable for most gardeners.
Establishment Speed
First-year blooming ensures immediate gratification for new landscape projects.
Climate Versatility
Strict hardiness requirements limit outdoor success to warmer regional zones.
Foliage Quality
Glossy, heart-shaped leaves maintain aesthetic appeal even when not blooming.
Key Specs
Pot Size
2.5"
Grows To
2-3' height
Sun Requirements
Full Sun
Bloom Season
Fall, Spring, Winter
Hardiness Zone
USDA Zone 9
Minimum Indoor Temperatures
50°F
Features
- Striking cobalt blue flowers
- Blooms reliably fall through spring
- Unique hat-like flower shape
- Glossy, heart-shaped foliage
- Blooms in the first year
- South African native shrub
- Ideal for winter garden color
- Easy to maintain with pruning
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly praise the Blue Witches Hat for its unique ornamental appeal, specifically the stunning deep blue purple flower spikes. A major theme is the high quality of the starter plants received from Logee's. Reviewers consistently note that the plants arrive healthy, robust, and well rooted, ensuring a strong start. This reliability in shipping specialized flora is highly valued. While the plant demands specific care due to its tropical nature, the consensus is that the visual payoff is exceptional. Those seeking a rare, eye-catching addition find this variety rewarding, confirming its status as a desirable specimen that meets high expectations.
Know before you buy
Yes, it can be grown indoors as long as it receives plenty of full sun. Ensure your indoor space stays above 50°F, as this plant is not frost-tolerant.
The Blue Witches Hat typically reaches a height of 2 to 3 feet. Its compact size makes it a great choice for containers or smaller garden beds.
This plant is known for blooming in its first year. You can expect reliable, cobalt blue flowers from fall through spring.
It is relatively easy to care for. Simply prune the plant back after it finishes flowering to encourage healthy growth and maintain its shape for the next season.
The Blue Witches Hat is hardy in USDA Zone 9. If you live in a colder climate, you should treat it as a container plant that can be moved indoors during the winter.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$15