When does Clasping Venus's-looking-glass bloom?

It typically flowers from May through July, with small violet-blue blossoms opening along the stem where the leaves clasp it.

What growing conditions does this plant prefer?

It grows best in full sun to partial sun with low water needs, and tolerates dry, disturbed, or sandy soils common along roadsides and open fields.

What pollinates Clasping Venus's-looking-glass?

Bees and beetles are the main visitors to its small purple flowers.

Is this plant a good fit for a low-maintenance garden bed?

Yes, as an annual forb it self-seeds readily in sunny, well-drained spots and requires little supplemental watering once established.

Is Clasping Venus's-looking-glass HOA-friendly?

Clasping Venus's-looking-glass takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Clasping Venus's-looking-glass

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Triodanis perfoliata

Last reviewed: August 2026

Clasping Venus's-looking-glass is a slender annual forb that blooms May through July in full sun with low water needs. It is common along roadsides, dry fields, and open woodland edges.

Toxicity unknown

Clasping Venus's-looking-glass (Triodanis perfoliata) 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

4"–12" H × 2"–6" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

AL, AR, AZ, CA and 44 more states

Pollinators

bees, 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.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

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Clasping venus's-looking-glass is a small annual wildflower with distinctive cup-shaped leaves that wrap around the stem. It produces small purple or blue flowers from late spring through summer and thrives in sunny, dry conditions. This delicate native plant typically grows 4-12 inches tall with a narrow, upright habit.

Growing Clasping Venus's-looking-glass

Grow Clasping Venus's-looking-glass in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 4 to 12 inches tall and spread 2 to 6 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Clasping Venus's-looking-glass 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.

Very small and easily mistaken for a weed
Annual nature means it disappears entirely each year
Informal wildflower appearance doesn't fit typical landscaping expectations

Wildlife value

The small flowers attract native bees and beetles during its blooming period from May through July. As an annual, it provides seasonal nectar resources for pollinators in early to mid-summer.

Common questions

When does Clasping Venus's-looking-glass bloom?: It typically flowers from May through July, with small violet-blue blossoms opening along the stem where the leaves clasp it.
What growing conditions does this plant prefer?: It grows best in full sun to partial sun with low water needs, and tolerates dry, disturbed, or sandy soils common along roadsides and open fields.
What pollinates Clasping Venus's-looking-glass?: Bees and beetles are the main visitors to its small purple flowers.
Is this plant a good fit for a low-maintenance garden bed?: Yes, as an annual forb it self-seeds readily in sunny, well-drained spots and requires little supplemental watering once established.
Is Clasping Venus's-looking-glass HOA-friendly?: Clasping Venus's-looking-glass 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

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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