Curly-cup Gumweed
Grindelia squarrosa
Last reviewed: September 2026
Curlycup gumweed is a drought tolerant forb with sticky, resinous flower buds that open yellow from June through September. It thrives in full sun on dry prairies, roadsides, and disturbed soils.
Toxicity unknown
Curly-cup Gumweed (Grindelia squarrosa) 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
6"–24" H × 6"–18" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
AR, AZ, CA, CO and 35 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies, 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.
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Curly-cup gumweed is a sturdy prairie native with bright yellow daisy-like flowers that bloom from June through September. This compact perennial forms low mounds and tolerates drought extremely well once established. The flowers have distinctive curved bracts that curl backward, giving the plant its common name.
Growing Curly-cup Gumweed
Grow Curly-cup Gumweed in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 6 to 24 inches tall and spread 6 to 18 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Curly-cup Gumweed 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.
- Common name includes 'weed' which creates negative perception
- Can look scraggly and unkempt when not blooming
- May be considered too wild-looking for formal landscapes
Wildlife value
This plant is a pollinator powerhouse, attracting bees, butterflies, and beneficial beetles throughout its long bloom season. The seeds also provide food for birds in late fall.
Common questions
- When does curlycup gumweed bloom?
- Grindelia squarrosa typically blooms from June through September, producing yellow flower heads on upright stems.
- What growing conditions does curlycup gumweed need?
- It does best in full sun with low water once established, and tolerates dry, compacted, or disturbed soils where many other forbs struggle.
- What insects visit curlycup gumweed?
- Bees, butterflies, and beetles are commonly seen visiting the flowers of curlycup gumweed for nectar and pollen.
- Is curlycup gumweed a perennial plant?
- Grindelia squarrosa is usually grown as a biennial or short-lived perennial forb, dying back to the ground each year.
- Is Curly-cup Gumweed HOA-friendly?
- Curly-cup Gumweed 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 the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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 Curly-cup Gumweed? 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
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