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Dayflower

Commelina erecta

Last reviewed: October 2026

Dayflower (Commelina erecta)
Photo: (c) Michael J. Papay, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael J. Papay

Toxicity unknown

Dayflower (Commelina erecta) 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

part sun

Water

low

Size

6"–12" H × 24"–36" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, AZ, CO and 30 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

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 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Southern RockiesArizona/New Mexico MountainsChihuahuan DesertsHigh PlainsSouthwestern TablelandsCentral Great PlainsGreat PlainsCross TimbersEdwards PlateauSouthern Texas PlainsTexas Blackland PrairiesEast Central Texas PlainsWestern Gulf Coastal PlainSouth Central PlainsEastern Temperate ForestsOzark HighlandsCentral Irregular PlainsNorthwestern Great PlainsPiedmontWestern Corn Belt PlainsCentral Corn Belt PlainsSouthern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift PlainsMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsBlue RidgeRidge and ValleyInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsMississippi Alluvial PlainSouthern Coastal PlainSouthern Florida Coastal PlainMadrean Archipelago

Erect dayflower is a modest native perennial that produces small, bright blue three-petaled flowers from summer through early fall. This low-growing plant forms neat clumps with narrow green leaves and maintains a relatively tidy appearance in the garden.

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In an HOA neighborhood

Dayflower 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.

  • Often considered a weed by conventional gardeners
  • Can spread aggressively in favorable conditions
  • May be mistaken for invasive dayflower species

Wildlife value

The cheerful blue flowers attract bees and butterflies during the summer blooming period. Seeds may provide food for small birds in fall.

Common questions

How much sun does Dayflower need?
Dayflower grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Dayflower bloom?
Dayflower blooms in July, August, and September.
Where is Dayflower native?
Dayflower (Commelina erecta) is native to AL, AR, AZ, CO and 30 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Dayflower attract?
Dayflower draws bees and butterflies.
Is Dayflower HOA-friendly?
Dayflower 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.

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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