How much sun does California angelica need?

California angelica grows best in part shade conditions.

When does California angelica bloom?

California angelica blooms in April, May, and June.

Where is California angelica native?

California angelica (Angelica californica) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What butterflies or moths does California angelica host?

California angelica is a larval host plant for anise swallowtail.

California angelica

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Angelica californica

Last reviewed: September 2026

California angelica (Angelica californica) is a perennial forb native to CA. It blooms in April, May, and June. The flowers draw bees, flies, and beetles.

Toxicity unknown

California angelica (Angelica californica) 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 shade

Water

medium

Size

24"–72" H × 18"–36" W

Bloom

Apr, May, Jun

Native to

Pollinators

bees, flies, 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 460 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

Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains

Tall, coarse-leaved perennial in the carrot family with large compound leaves and broad flat-topped clusters of small white flowers in late spring, growing along streambanks and in moist shaded canyons.

Growing California angelica

Grow California angelica in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 24 to 72 inches tall and spread 18 to 36 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Host plant for anise swallowtail.

The flat flower clusters attract a wide diversity of small pollinating insects, and the foliage serves as a larval host plant for the anise swallowtail butterfly.

Common questions

How much sun does California angelica need?: California angelica grows best in part shade conditions.
When does California angelica bloom?: California angelica blooms in April, May, and June.
Where is California angelica native?: California angelica (Angelica californica) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What butterflies or moths does California angelica host?: California angelica is a larval host plant for anise swallowtail.

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.

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