Each spring Texas Bluebonnets prove why they’re the official flower of the Lone Star State. But when will they bloom? And where? We’ve got answers to FAQs.
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Lupinus texensis.
A.k.a. Bluebonnets.
What’s not to love about these beauties, especially when they blanket Hill Country fields and roadsides with their bright, perky blue-and-white charm?
Given that our digital brand name gives a nod to native wildflowers, it’s only natural we receive a lot of questions about where and when to see them.
To help site visitors with their bluebonnet inquiries, we’ve put together a quick guide to what you need to know about – and where best to look for – the Lone Star State’s favorite flower.
1. When do bluebonnets bloom? And are they blooming now?
During mild winters, they may start blooming in late February or March but, more often than not, early April is the best time to head out to look for them. They bloom only a few weeks and then are replaced with other less famous but no less stellar blooms (like that pretty firewheel in our logo).
That’s the short answer.
The long answer? It depends a little bit on a lot of factors – weather, soil quality, and when fields are mowed. But early April is probably a safe bet.
2. Where’s the best place to look for bluebonnets this year?
If it’s the right time of year and you’re eager to find some bluebonnets, we’ve got a handy, proven list of places to look. There are also a few groups on FB, if you do a keyword search with the word “wildflower.”
3. Can I grow my own bluebonnets?
You can sure try! You’ll want to have rocky, alkaline soil, scarify your seeds and plant them in October. Winter rains and weather will impact how many blooms you get, but if conditions are right and you allow them to reseed, you may grow a bumper crop over a period of years.
We’ll let our friends at Central Texas Gardener guide you into a deeper discussion here:
Want to plant live plants in a pot or your garden? Try one of our favorite nurseries.
4. Is it illegal to pick bluebonnets?
Nope, but it’s kinda, ahem, rude to pluck blooms in an open field. If you really want some to have and hold, growing them is the most considerate option.
Still, if you’re out in a field making one of those legendary bluebonnet photos, it’s not the end of the world if your toddler accidentally plucks one.
5. When did bluebonnets become the Texas state flower?
According to the Handbook of Texas Online, the Texas Legislature bestowed that mantel upon the native blooms in 1901. It beat out both the prickly pear cactus and the cotton boll to claim it’s right to fame. (The prickly pear was named the state plant in 1995.)
Yet long before European settlers arrived in the Texas Hill Country, Native American inhabitants deemed them a gift from the Great Spirit.
Frankly, we tend to agree.
A final, under-reported fact: Hill Country bluebonnets aren’t the only official state flower. Yes, the most famous variety, Lupinus texensis grows in our region, but the state actually has four others – all members of the large lupine genus.
This article was last updated in January 2024.
