How much sun does Comandra umbellata need?

It does best with part sun to full sun, though it can tolerate light shade at the edges of open woodlands and prairies.

When does bastard toadflax bloom?

Small white flowers open from May through July, typically in loose terminal clusters.

What pollinators visit bastard toadflax flowers?

Bees and butterflies are the most common visitors, drawn to the small white flowers for nectar and pollen.

Does Comandra umbellata rely on other plants to grow?

Yes, it is a hemiparasitic forb that connects its roots to nearby host plants, often pines or grasses, to draw extra water and nutrients while still photosynthesizing on its own.

Is Bastard Toadflax HOA-friendly?

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

Bastard Toadflax

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Comandra umbellata

Last reviewed: September 2026

Comandra umbellata is a low-growing forb with clusters of small white flowers blooming May through July, thriving in dry prairies, open woodlands, and rocky slopes with full to part sun and low water needs.

Toxicity unknown

Bastard Toadflax (Comandra umbellata) 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

low

Size

6"–18" H × 6"–12" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

AL, AR, AZ, CA and 42 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.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Chihuahuan Deserts High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Central Great Plains Great Plains Cross Timbers 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 Eastern Temperate Forests Central Appalachians Western Allegheny Plateau Interior Plateau Interior River Valleys and Hills Mississippi Alluvial Plain Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Madrean Archipelago Sonoran Basin and Range Acadian Plains and Hills Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Bastard toadflax is a low-growing native perennial that forms small clusters of tiny white flowers from late spring through summer. This compact plant has narrow, blue-green leaves and maintains a neat, ground-hugging appearance throughout the growing season. It thrives in well-drained soils and tolerates drought once established.

Growing Bastard Toadflax

Grow Bastard Toadflax in part sun and low water. Mature plants reach 6 to 18 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

Bastard Toadflax 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 small inconspicuous flowers may appear weedy
Low growth habit lacks visual impact for formal landscaping
Name creates negative associations despite being harmless

Wildlife value

The small white flowers attract various native bees and occasional butterflies during its extended bloom period. Its low stature makes it less significant for larger wildlife but provides nectar for smaller pollinators.

Common questions

How much sun does Comandra umbellata need?: It does best with part sun to full sun, though it can tolerate light shade at the edges of open woodlands and prairies.
When does bastard toadflax bloom?: Small white flowers open from May through July, typically in loose terminal clusters.
What pollinators visit bastard toadflax flowers?: Bees and butterflies are the most common visitors, drawn to the small white flowers for nectar and pollen.
Does Comandra umbellata rely on other plants to grow?: Yes, it is a hemiparasitic forb that connects its roots to nearby host plants, often pines or grasses, to draw extra water and nutrients while still photosynthesizing on its own.
Is Bastard Toadflax HOA-friendly?: Bastard Toadflax 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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