When does Catfoot bloom?

Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium typically flowers from July through September, producing small clusters of whitish, papery blooms atop woolly gray-green stems.

What growing conditions does Catfoot prefer?

Catfoot grows best in full sun with well-drained, low-moisture soil. It is often found in dry fields, sandy clearings, and disturbed roadside habitats.

What insects visit Catfoot flowers?

Bees, butterflies, and beetles are commonly seen visiting the small flower heads of Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium for nectar and pollen.

Is Catfoot easy to grow in a home garden?

Yes, it tolerates poor, dry soil and needs little watering once established, making it a low-maintenance choice for sunny, open sites.

Is Catfoot HOA-friendly?

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

Catfoot

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium

Last reviewed: August 2026

Catfoot (Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium) is a woolly, gray-green forb that blooms from July through September in dry fields, meadows, and roadsides across the eastern and central United States. It thrives in full sun with low water needs.

Toxicity unknown

Catfoot (Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium) 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

full sun

Water

low

Size

12"–24" H × 6"–12" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 30 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, 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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Rabbit tobacco is a native annual wildflower with soft, woolly gray-green foliage and clusters of small white flowers in late summer. This compact plant has a somewhat informal appearance and readily self-seeds in sunny, dry locations. It's valued for its drought tolerance and late-season blooms when many other flowers have finished.

Growing Catfoot

Grow Catfoot in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 24 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

Catfoot 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.

Looks wild and weedy to most people
Self-seeds aggressively and can appear weedy
Common name 'rabbit tobacco' may raise concerns

Wildlife value

Provides nectar for bees, butterflies, and beetles during late summer when few other flowers are blooming. The seeds are eaten by small birds and the plant serves as a host for some moth caterpillars.

Common questions

When does Catfoot bloom?: Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium typically flowers from July through September, producing small clusters of whitish, papery blooms atop woolly gray-green stems.
What growing conditions does Catfoot prefer?: Catfoot grows best in full sun with well-drained, low-moisture soil. It is often found in dry fields, sandy clearings, and disturbed roadside habitats.
What insects visit Catfoot flowers?: Bees, butterflies, and beetles are commonly seen visiting the small flower heads of Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium for nectar and pollen.
Is Catfoot easy to grow in a home garden?: Yes, it tolerates poor, dry soil and needs little watering once established, making it a low-maintenance choice for sunny, open sites.
Is Catfoot HOA-friendly?: Catfoot 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

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