Checkerbloom
Sidalcea sparsifolia
Last reviewed: October 2026
Checkerbloom (Sidalcea sparsifolia) is a perennial forb native to CA. It blooms in April, May, and June. The flowers draw bees and butterflies.
Toxicity unknown
Checkerbloom (Sidalcea sparsifolia) 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
18"–36" H × 12"–18" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun
Native to
CA
Pollinators
bees, butterflies
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 458 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
An upright perennial with lobed leaves and tall spikes of pink, cup-shaped flowers held above the foliage, forming neat clumps in grassy openings.
Growing Checkerbloom
Grow Checkerbloom in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 18 to 36 inches tall and spread 12 to 18 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Host plant for west coast lady.
Flowers attract specialist mallow bees, and foliage hosts West Coast lady caterpillars.
Common questions
- How much sun does Checkerbloom need?
- Checkerbloom grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Checkerbloom bloom?
- Checkerbloom blooms in April, May, and June.
- Where is Checkerbloom native?
- Checkerbloom (Sidalcea sparsifolia) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What butterflies or moths does Checkerbloom host?
- Checkerbloom is a larval host plant for west coast lady.
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 Checkerbloom? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.