How much sun does American Bugseed need?

American Bugseed grows best in full sun conditions.

When does American Bugseed bloom?

American Bugseed blooms in June, July, August, and September.

Where is American Bugseed native?

American Bugseed (Corispermum americanum) is native to AR, AZ, CA, CO and 23 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Is American Bugseed HOA-friendly?

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

American Bugseed

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Corispermum americanum

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

American Bugseed (Corispermum americanum) 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"–24" H × 2"–8" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AR, AZ, CA, CO and 23 more states

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.

Find rebates in your area

Picture natives in your own yard

Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like American Bugseed.

Try it with your yard

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Central Basin and Range North American Deserts Southern Rockies Chihuahuan Deserts High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Central Great Plains Northwestern Great Plains Great Plains Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains Central Corn Belt Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains

American bugseed is a low-growing annual native that forms small clumps with narrow, linear leaves. It produces tiny, inconspicuous flowers from summer into fall and has a rather sparse, weedy appearance throughout its growing season.

In an HOA neighborhood

American Bugseed 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 weedy appearance that resembles unwanted volunteer plants
Sparse growth habit looks unkempt in formal settings
Annual nature means gaps and bare spots seasonally

Wildlife value

This plant provides seeds for small birds and some native insects, though it's not considered a major pollinator plant due to its wind-pollinated flowers.

Common questions

How much sun does American Bugseed need?: American Bugseed grows best in full sun conditions.
When does American Bugseed bloom?: American Bugseed blooms in June, July, August, and September.
Where is American Bugseed native?: American Bugseed (Corispermum americanum) is native to AR, AZ, CA, CO and 23 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is American Bugseed HOA-friendly?: American Bugseed 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.

See all plant problem guides

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

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