How much sun does Bog-laurel need?

Bog-laurel grows best in part shade conditions.

When does Bog-laurel bloom?

Bog-laurel blooms in June and July.

Where is Bog-laurel native?

Bog-laurel (Kalmia polifolia) is native to CT, MA, ME, MI and 9 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Is Bog-laurel toxic to dogs?

Yes. Bog-laurel is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Bog-laurel toxic to cats?

Yes. Bog-laurel is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Bog-laurel toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Bog-laurel as toxic to livestock.

Is Bog-laurel HOA-friendly?

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

Bog-laurel

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Kalmia polifolia

Last reviewed: September 2026

Bog-laurel is toxic to dogs and cats.

Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-08-03). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435and your veterinarian's emergency line.

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

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Bog-laurel as toxic to livestock.

Light

part shade

Water

high

Size

12"–36" H × 12"–36" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul

Native to

CT, MA, ME, MI and 9 more states

Pollinators

bees

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

Northern Forests Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Huron/Erie Lake Plains Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Allegheny Plateau Acadian Plains and Hills Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands

Bog-laurel is a compact evergreen shrub with small, leathery leaves and clusters of pink cup-shaped flowers in summer. This specialty plant requires consistently moist to wet soil conditions and thrives in acidic environments. It maintains a neat, low-growing form that works well in specialized garden settings.

In an HOA neighborhood

Bog-laurel 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.

Requires specialized wet soil conditions that may look problematic
Uncommon plant that HOAs may not recognize as intentional landscaping
High water needs may appear as poor drainage issue

Wildlife value

The summer blooms attract bees and other pollinators. As an evergreen shrub, it provides year-round shelter for small wildlife.

Common questions

How much sun does Bog-laurel need?: Bog-laurel grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Bog-laurel bloom?: Bog-laurel blooms in June and July.
Where is Bog-laurel native?: Bog-laurel (Kalmia polifolia) is native to CT, MA, ME, MI and 9 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Bog-laurel toxic to dogs?: Yes. Bog-laurel is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Bog-laurel toxic to cats?: Yes. Bog-laurel is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Bog-laurel toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Bog-laurel as toxic to livestock.
What pollinators does Bog-laurel attract?: Bog-laurel draws bees.
Is Bog-laurel HOA-friendly?: Bog-laurel 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

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants like Bog-laurel and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.

Find pet-safe natives

iPhone app Android app

Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant

Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz