Alva Day's Pincushionplant
Navarretia sinistra
Last reviewed: September 2026
Toxicity unknown
Alva Day's Pincushionplant (Navarretia sinistra) 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
full sun
Water
low
Size
4"–12" H × 2"–6" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul
Native to
CA, CO, NV, OR
Pollinators
bees
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 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
Navarretia sinistra is a small annual wildflower that forms compact, low-growing clumps in spring and summer. It produces delicate blooms from May through July and requires minimal water once established. As an annual, it completes its lifecycle in one growing season and may self-seed in favorable conditions.
In an HOA neighborhood
Alva Day's Pincushionplant takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Very small size may appear sparse in maintained landscapes
- Annual lifecycle creates gaps when plants die back
- Native wildflower appearance may be perceived as weedy
Wildlife value
This plant provides nectar and pollen for native bees during its blooming period from late spring through summer.
Common questions
- How much sun does Alva Day's Pincushionplant need?
- Alva Day's Pincushionplant grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Alva Day's Pincushionplant bloom?
- Alva Day's Pincushionplant blooms in May, June, and July.
- Where is Alva Day's Pincushionplant native?
- Alva Day's Pincushionplant (Navarretia sinistra) is native to CA, CO, NV, OR, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Alva Day's Pincushionplant attract?
- Alva Day's Pincushionplant draws bees.
- Is Alva Day's Pincushionplant HOA-friendly?
- Alva Day's Pincushionplant takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Alva Day's Pincushionplant? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.