Common Draba
Draba verna
Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown
Common Draba (Draba verna) 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
2"–8" H × 2"–4" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May
Pollinators
bees, beetles
Native alternatives to Common Draba
Common Draba 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.
Find rebates in your areaDraba verna is a tiny spring annual that forms small rosettes of leaves with delicate white flowers. This diminutive wildflower completes its entire life cycle in just a few months, appearing in early spring and disappearing by summer.
In an HOA neighborhood
Common Draba 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.
- Extremely small size makes it appear like a weed
- Annual lifecycle means patches may look bare or inconsistent
- Too informal for maintained landscaping standards
Wildlife value
The small white flowers provide early-season nectar for small bees and beetles when few other blooms are available.
Common questions
- How much sun does Common Draba need?
- Common Draba grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Common Draba bloom?
- Common Draba blooms in March, April, and May.
- What pollinators does Common Draba attract?
- Common Draba draws bees and beetles.
- Is Common Draba HOA-friendly?
- Common Draba 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.
- 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 Common Draba? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz


