How much sun does American Tearthumb need?

American Tearthumb grows best in part sun conditions.

When does American Tearthumb bloom?

American Tearthumb blooms in July, August, and September.

Where is American Tearthumb native?

American Tearthumb (Persicaria sagittata) is native to AL, AR, CO, CT and 34 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What pollinators does American Tearthumb attract?

American Tearthumb draws bees and beetles.

Is American Tearthumb HOA-friendly?

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

American Tearthumb

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Persicaria sagittata

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

American Tearthumb (Persicaria sagittata) 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

24"–120" H × 12"–48" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, CO, CT and 34 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

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

Central Great Plains East Central Texas Plains South Central Plains Eastern Temperate Forests Ozark Highlands Central Irregular Plains Northwestern Great Plains Great Plains Piedmont 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 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 Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Southern Coastal Plain Acadian Plains and Hills Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

American tearthumb is a climbing annual vine with arrow-shaped leaves and small clusters of white to pink flowers in late summer. This native plant has tiny backward-pointing barbs on its stems that help it climb over other vegetation. It thrives in moist areas and can spread rapidly in favorable conditions.

In an HOA neighborhood

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

Works well in: backyard only.

Aggressive spreading habit
Barbed stems can be problematic
Can appear weedy and uncontrolled

Wildlife value

The summer flowers attract bees and beetles for pollination. Seeds provide food for waterfowl and other birds in wetland areas.

Common questions

How much sun does American Tearthumb need?: American Tearthumb grows best in part sun conditions.
When does American Tearthumb bloom?: American Tearthumb blooms in July, August, and September.
Where is American Tearthumb native?: American Tearthumb (Persicaria sagittata) is native to AL, AR, CO, CT and 34 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does American Tearthumb attract?: American Tearthumb draws bees and beetles.
Is American Tearthumb HOA-friendly?: American Tearthumb 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

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