How much sun does Common Cornsalad need?

Common Cornsalad grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Common Cornsalad bloom?

Common Cornsalad blooms in April, May, and June.

What pollinators does Common Cornsalad attract?

Common Cornsalad draws bees and flies.

Is Common Cornsalad HOA-friendly?

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

Common Cornsalad

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Valerianella locusta

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Common Cornsalad (Valerianella locusta) 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

medium

Size

4"–12" H × 4"–8" W

Bloom

Apr, May, Jun

Pollinators

bees, flies

Native alternatives to Common Cornsalad

Common Cornsalad is not native to the United States. These natives fill a similar role in a planting, matched on bloom season, bloom color and mature size.

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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Corn salad is a small, low-growing annual herb with soft green leaves that forms neat rosettes. It produces tiny white or pale blue flowers in spring and early summer, creating a delicate carpet-like appearance in the garden.

In an HOA neighborhood

Common Cornsalad 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.

Appears weedy and informal
Dies back completely as annual
Not recognized as ornamental landscaping

Wildlife value

The small flowers attract bees and flies during its spring blooming period. As an annual, it provides early season nectar when few other plants are flowering.

Common questions

How much sun does Common Cornsalad need?: Common Cornsalad grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Common Cornsalad bloom?: Common Cornsalad blooms in April, May, and June.
What pollinators does Common Cornsalad attract?: Common Cornsalad draws bees and flies.
Is Common Cornsalad HOA-friendly?: Common Cornsalad takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

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

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