Baby Jump-up
Mecardonia procumbens
Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown
Baby Jump-up (Mecardonia procumbens) 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
2"–8" H × 4"–12" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
AL, FL, GA, NM and 1 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies
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 areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
Baby jump-up is a low-growing native groundcover that forms a compact mat of small green leaves. It produces cheerful yellow flowers continuously from late spring through early fall, making it an excellent choice for adding color to garden edges and walkways.
In an HOA neighborhood
Baby Jump-up is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
Wildlife value
The long blooming period provides nectar for bees and butterflies throughout the growing season. Its low, spreading habit also offers shelter for beneficial insects.
Common questions
- How much sun does Baby Jump-up need?
- Baby Jump-up grows best in part sun conditions.
- When does Baby Jump-up bloom?
- Baby Jump-up blooms in May, June, July, August, and September.
- Where is Baby Jump-up native?
- Baby Jump-up (Mecardonia procumbens) is native to AL, FL, GA, NM and 1 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Baby Jump-up attract?
- Baby Jump-up draws bees and butterflies.
- Is Baby Jump-up HOA-friendly?
- Baby Jump-up is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
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.
- 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 Baby Jump-up? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz