When does Agueweed bloom?

Agueweed typically flowers from August into October, producing clusters of tubular purple blooms late in the growing season.

What pollinators visit Agueweed flowers?

Bees, butterflies and moths are the main visitors to Agueweed, drawn to its tubular flowers in late summer and fall.

How much sun and water does Agueweed need?

Agueweed grows best with part sun and consistently moist, medium to wet soil, conditions similar to the damp meadows, fens and open woods where it is often found.

Is Agueweed a good fit for a home garden?

It can work in a moist wildflower meadow or naturalized planting, but it prefers damp, part sun conditions and is less suited to dry beds or full shade gardens.

Is Agueweed HOA-friendly?

Agueweed takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Agueweed

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Gentianella quinquefolia

Last reviewed: August 2026

Agueweed (Gentianella quinquefolia) is a slender forb that blooms from August through October in moist meadows, fens and open woodland edges across the eastern and midwestern United States.

Toxicity unknown

Agueweed (Gentianella quinquefolia) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part sun

Water

medium

Size

6"–24" H × 3"–12" W

Bloom

Aug, Sep, Oct

Native to

AR, CT, GA, IA and 23 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, moths

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Ozark Highlands Piedmont Western Corn Belt Plains Driftless Area Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains Central Corn Belt Plains Eastern Corn Belt Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Allegheny Plateau Northern Forests Southeastern Plains Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Central Appalachians Interior Plateau Interior River Valleys and Hills Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands

Gentianella quinquefolia is a small annual wildflower that produces delicate purple tubular flowers from late summer through fall. This native plant grows in a compact form and provides late-season color when many other plants are finished blooming.

Growing Agueweed

Grow Agueweed in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 6 to 24 inches tall and spread 3 to 12 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Agueweed takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Annual lifecycle means gaps in plantings each year
Small size and wild appearance may look sparse in formal settings
Relatively unknown plant may be mistaken for a weed

Wildlife value

The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and moths, providing important nectar during the fall when fewer blooming plants are available. This makes it particularly valuable for supporting pollinators preparing for winter.

Common questions

When does Agueweed bloom?: Agueweed typically flowers from August into October, producing clusters of tubular purple blooms late in the growing season.
What pollinators visit Agueweed flowers?: Bees, butterflies and moths are the main visitors to Agueweed, drawn to its tubular flowers in late summer and fall.
How much sun and water does Agueweed need?: Agueweed grows best with part sun and consistently moist, medium to wet soil, conditions similar to the damp meadows, fens and open woods where it is often found.
Is Agueweed a good fit for a home garden?: It can work in a moist wildflower meadow or naturalized planting, but it prefers damp, part sun conditions and is less suited to dry beds or full shade gardens.
Is Agueweed HOA-friendly?: Agueweed takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Agueweed? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden

iPhone app Android app

Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant

Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz