Creeping Lady's Tresses
Goodyera repens
Last reviewed: August 2026
Toxicity unknown
Creeping Lady's Tresses (Goodyera repens) 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
shade
Water
medium
Size
2"–8" H × 2"–6" W
Bloom
Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
AZ, CO, CT, ID and 18 more states
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 437 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Creeping lady's tresses is a small native orchid that forms low mats of attractive variegated leaves with white veining. It produces delicate white flower spikes in late summer and maintains its foliage year-round in shaded areas.
In an HOA neighborhood
Creeping Lady's Tresses 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 sparse in formal landscapes
- Orchid flowers may not be recognized as intentional plantings
- Very slow spreading can look patchy for years
Wildlife value
This native orchid provides nectar for small native bees and other pollinators during its summer bloom period.
Common questions
- How much sun does Creeping Lady's Tresses need?
- Creeping Lady's Tresses grows best in shade conditions.
- When does Creeping Lady's Tresses bloom?
- Creeping Lady's Tresses blooms in July, August, and September.
- Where is Creeping Lady's Tresses native?
- Creeping Lady's Tresses (Goodyera repens) is native to AZ, CO, CT, ID and 18 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- Is Creeping Lady's Tresses HOA-friendly?
- Creeping Lady's Tresses takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Ready to grow Creeping Lady's Tresses? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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