When does American bugleweed bloom?

American bugleweed generally blooms from July through September, with small white flowers clustered in the leaf axils along the stem.

What growing conditions suit American bugleweed best?

This forb does well in part shade to full sun and needs consistently wet to moist soil, reflecting the marshes, ditches, and streambanks where it commonly grows.

What pollinators visit American bugleweed flowers?

Bees, wasps, and flies are the main visitors to its small tubular flowers, which offer accessible nectar during the summer bloom period.

Is American Bugleweed toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag American Bugleweed as toxic to livestock.

Is American Bugleweed HOA-friendly?

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

American Bugleweed

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Lycopus americanus

Last reviewed: August 2026

American bugleweed is a wetland forb that produces small white flowers from July through September and grows best in consistently wet to moist soil in marshes, wet meadows, and along stream banks.

Toxicity unknown

American Bugleweed (Lycopus americanus) 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.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag American Bugleweed as toxic to livestock.

Light

part shade

Water

high

Size

12"–36" H × 8"–24" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, AZ, CA and 44 more states

Pollinators

bees, wasps, flies

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.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Northwestern Forested Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Central Great Plains Great Plains Cross Timbers Edwards Plateau Texas Blackland Prairies East Central Texas Plains South Central Plains Ozark Highlands Central Irregular Plains Northwestern Glaciated Plains Northwestern Great Plains Piedmont Northern Glaciated Plains Western Corn Belt Plains Northern Forests Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Driftless Area Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains Central Corn Belt Plains Eastern Corn Belt Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Huron/Erie Lake Plains Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Allegheny Plateau Erie Drift Plain Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Central Appalachians Western Allegheny Plateau Interior Plateau Interior River Valleys and Hills Mississippi Alluvial Plain Southern Coastal Plain Acadian Plains and Hills Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

American bugleweed is a native mint family plant that thrives in consistently moist, partially shaded areas. It produces small white flowers in summer and spreads gradually to form colonies in wet soils. This plant is well-suited for rain gardens, pond edges, and other areas with reliable moisture.

Growing American Bugleweed

Grow American Bugleweed in part shade and high water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 inches tall and spread 8 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

American Bugleweed 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.

Spreads aggressively and can look weedy
Small inconspicuous flowers lack ornamental appeal
May appear unkempt in formal landscapes

Wildlife value

The summer blooms attract various pollinators including native bees, wasps, and flies. Seeds may provide food for some birds, and the plant can serve as habitat for beneficial insects.

Common questions

When does American bugleweed bloom?: American bugleweed generally blooms from July through September, with small white flowers clustered in the leaf axils along the stem.
What growing conditions suit American bugleweed best?: This forb does well in part shade to full sun and needs consistently wet to moist soil, reflecting the marshes, ditches, and streambanks where it commonly grows.
What pollinators visit American bugleweed flowers?: Bees, wasps, and flies are the main visitors to its small tubular flowers, which offer accessible nectar during the summer bloom period.
Is American Bugleweed toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag American Bugleweed as toxic to livestock.
Is American Bugleweed HOA-friendly?: American Bugleweed 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

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