Biennial Cinquefoil
Potentilla biennis
Last reviewed: September 2026
Biennial Cinquefoil (Potentilla biennis) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org (opens in new tab), last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
6"–24" H × 4"–12" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul
Native to
AZ, CA, CO, ID and 7 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.
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Biennial cinquefoil is a modest native wildflower that forms small clumps with palmate leaves and tiny yellow flowers. This drought-tolerant plant completes its lifecycle over two years, growing as a low rosette the first year before flowering and setting seed in the second year.
In an HOA neighborhood
Biennial Cinquefoil 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.
- Appears weedy and unstructured
- Dies back completely after second year
- Very small flowers may look unkempt
Wildlife value
The small yellow blooms attract native bees and beetles during late spring and summer months. It supports pollinator populations with nectar and pollen.
Common questions
- How much sun does Biennial Cinquefoil need?
- Biennial Cinquefoil grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Biennial Cinquefoil bloom?
- Biennial Cinquefoil blooms in May, June, and July.
- Where is Biennial Cinquefoil native?
- Biennial Cinquefoil (Potentilla biennis) is native to AZ, CA, CO, ID and 7 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- Is Biennial Cinquefoil toxic to dogs?
- Biennial Cinquefoil is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
- Is Biennial Cinquefoil toxic to cats?
- Biennial Cinquefoil is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
- What pollinators does Biennial Cinquefoil attract?
- Biennial Cinquefoil draws bees and beetles.
- Is Biennial Cinquefoil HOA-friendly?
- Biennial Cinquefoil 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 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 Biennial Cinquefoil? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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