When does common lousewort bloom?

Common lousewort typically flowers in April and May, producing whorled clusters of yellow and maroon tubular blooms.

What pollinators visit common lousewort?

Bees and butterflies are the main visitors, drawn to the hooded, two-toned flowers.

How much light does this plant need?

It grows best in part shade, such as dappled light beneath open woodland canopy, and can tolerate deeper shade for part of the day.

How much water does common lousewort require?

It prefers medium, evenly moist soil and does not tolerate prolonged drought or standing water.

What is the growth habit of common lousewort?

It is a low, clump-forming herbaceous forb with fern-like foliage that dies back to the ground each year.

Is Common Lousewort toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Common Lousewort as toxic to livestock.

Is Common Lousewort HOA-friendly?

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

Common Lousewort

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Pedicularis canadensis

Last reviewed: August 2026

Pedicularis canadensis, or common lousewort, is a low forb that blooms in April and May with yellow and maroon flowers, doing best in part shade with medium, well-drained woodland soil.

Toxicity unknown

Common Lousewort (Pedicularis canadensis) 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.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Common Lousewort as toxic to livestock.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

4"–12" H × 6"–12" W

Bloom

Apr, May

Native to

AL, AR, CO, CT and 34 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

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Common lousewort is a low-growing native wildflower that produces distinctive hooded yellow or reddish flowers in early spring. This compact perennial forms small clumps with deeply cut, fern-like foliage and typically grows 4-12 inches tall. It thrives in partial shade with moderate moisture and goes dormant in summer.

Growing Common Lousewort

Grow Common Lousewort in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 4 to 12 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

Common Lousewort 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.

Unusual name creates negative perception
Looks very wild and unmanicured
Goes completely dormant leaving bare spots

Wildlife value

The tubular flowers provide nectar for native bees and butterflies during the early spring pollinator season. This plant is particularly valuable because it blooms when few other native flowers are available.

Common questions

When does common lousewort bloom?: Common lousewort typically flowers in April and May, producing whorled clusters of yellow and maroon tubular blooms.
What pollinators visit common lousewort?: Bees and butterflies are the main visitors, drawn to the hooded, two-toned flowers.
How much light does this plant need?: It grows best in part shade, such as dappled light beneath open woodland canopy, and can tolerate deeper shade for part of the day.
How much water does common lousewort require?: It prefers medium, evenly moist soil and does not tolerate prolonged drought or standing water.
What is the growth habit of common lousewort?: It is a low, clump-forming herbaceous forb with fern-like foliage that dies back to the ground each year.
Is Common Lousewort toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Common Lousewort as toxic to livestock.
Is Common Lousewort HOA-friendly?: Common Lousewort 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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