When does black cohosh bloom?

Black cohosh blooms in summer, typically from June through August, when tall spikes of small white flowers open above the foliage.

What insects pollinate black cohosh?

Bees and beetles are the main visitors to black cohosh flowers, attracted to the dense white flower spikes during summer bloom.

What light and water conditions suit black cohosh best?

Black cohosh grows best in part shade with medium, evenly moist soil, conditions common in the shaded understory of eastern deciduous woodlands.

Is black cohosh an evergreen plant?

No, black cohosh is deciduous. Its foliage dies back each fall and returns from the rootstock the following spring.

What does black cohosh look like when it flowers?

It produces tall, wand-like racemes of small creamy white flowers that rise well above a mound of dark green, divided leaves.

Is Black Cohosh toxic to dogs?

Yes. Black Cohosh is listed as toxic to dogs by the NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Black Cohosh toxic to cats?

Yes. Black Cohosh is listed as toxic to cats by the NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Black Cohosh HOA-friendly?

Black Cohosh is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

Black Cohosh

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Cimicifuga racemosa

Last reviewed: September 2026

Black cohosh is a tall woodland forb that sends up white bottlebrush flower spikes from June through August, growing well in part shade with medium soil moisture typical of eastern forest understories.

Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) — Photo: no rights reserved

Black Cohosh is toxic to dogs and cats.

Listed as toxic by the NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-09-28). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 and your veterinarian's emergency line.

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.

Native swaps for a yard with pets

Black Cohosh is listed as toxic to dogs by the NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. These natives fill a similar role in a planting and are not on the ASPCA toxic plant list for dogs or cats. Each plant's page carries its dated record.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

24"–72" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 22 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Piedmont Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Allegheny Plateau Erie Drift Plain Northern Forests Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Central Appalachians Western Allegheny Plateau Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Black cohosh is a tall native perennial that produces dramatic white bottlebrush-like flower spikes in summer. This shade-loving plant forms clumps of large, deeply divided leaves and can reach up to 6 feet tall when in bloom.

Growing Black Cohosh

Grow Black Cohosh in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 24 to 72 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Black Cohosh is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.

Works well in: foundation, mid zone.

Very tall height may appear overgrown
Dies back completely in winter

Wildlife value

The fragrant white flowers attract bees and beetles during summer months. The tall flower spikes provide excellent nectar sources for pollinators in shaded garden areas.

Common questions

When does black cohosh bloom?: Black cohosh blooms in summer, typically from June through August, when tall spikes of small white flowers open above the foliage.
What insects pollinate black cohosh?: Bees and beetles are the main visitors to black cohosh flowers, attracted to the dense white flower spikes during summer bloom.
What light and water conditions suit black cohosh best?: Black cohosh grows best in part shade with medium, evenly moist soil, conditions common in the shaded understory of eastern deciduous woodlands.
Is black cohosh an evergreen plant?: No, black cohosh is deciduous. Its foliage dies back each fall and returns from the rootstock the following spring.
What does black cohosh look like when it flowers?: It produces tall, wand-like racemes of small creamy white flowers that rise well above a mound of dark green, divided leaves.
Is Black Cohosh toxic to dogs?: Yes. Black Cohosh is listed as toxic to dogs by the NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Black Cohosh toxic to cats?: Yes. Black Cohosh is listed as toxic to cats by the NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Black Cohosh HOA-friendly?: Black Cohosh is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

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

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