When does American figwort bloom?

American figwort typically flowers from June through August, producing small clusters of maroon blooms along a tall stem.

What pollinators visit American figwort?

Bees and flies are the main visitors to American figwort, drawn to its small tubular flowers for nectar.

How much light and water does American figwort need?

This plant does best in part shade to full sun with medium, consistent soil moisture, and it tolerates brighter or slightly shadier spots as long as watering stays steady.

What growth habit does American figwort have?

It is a herbaceous forb that dies back each year, sending up new upright growth in spring and reaching several feet tall by the time it flowers in summer.

Is American Figwort HOA-friendly?

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

American Figwort

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Scrophularia lanceolata

Last reviewed: August 2026

American figwort is a tall upright forb that blooms from June through August with small maroon flowers, growing well in part shade with medium moisture in meadows, woodland edges, and roadside habitats.

Toxicity unknown

American Figwort (Scrophularia lanceolata) 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 shade

Water

medium

Size

12"–36" H × 6"–12" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

CA, CO, CT, DE and 33 more states

Pollinators

bees, flies

Deer

Resistant (per Prairie Moon Nursery)

Before you buy

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American figwort is a native perennial wildflower that grows in upright clumps with small, inconspicuous greenish-brown flowers from June through August. It thrives in partially shaded areas with average moisture and provides reliable summer blooms for beneficial insects.

Growing American Figwort

Grow American Figwort in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 inches tall and spread 6 to 12 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

American Figwort 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.

Flowers are small and brownish, lacking visual appeal
Common name includes 'figwort' which sounds weedy
Can appear scraggly and informal in growth habit

Wildlife value

This plant is particularly valuable for native bees and beneficial flies that pollinate its small but numerous flowers. The blooms provide nectar during the mid-summer period when many other native plants have finished flowering.

Common questions

When does American figwort bloom?: American figwort typically flowers from June through August, producing small clusters of maroon blooms along a tall stem.
What pollinators visit American figwort?: Bees and flies are the main visitors to American figwort, drawn to its small tubular flowers for nectar.
How much light and water does American figwort need?: This plant does best in part shade to full sun with medium, consistent soil moisture, and it tolerates brighter or slightly shadier spots as long as watering stays steady.
What growth habit does American figwort have?: It is a herbaceous forb that dies back each year, sending up new upright growth in spring and reaching several feet tall by the time it flowers in summer.
Is American Figwort HOA-friendly?: American Figwort 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

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