How much sun does Dotted Smartweed need?

Dotted Smartweed grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Dotted Smartweed bloom?

Dotted Smartweed blooms in July, August, and September.

Where is Dotted Smartweed native?

Dotted Smartweed (Persicaria punctata) is native to AL, AR, AZ, CA and 42 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What pollinators does Dotted Smartweed attract?

Dotted Smartweed draws bees, flies, and beetles.

Is Dotted Smartweed HOA-friendly?

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

Dotted Smartweed

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Persicaria punctata

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Dotted Smartweed (Persicaria punctata) 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

high

Size

12"–40" H × 6"–24" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, AZ, CA and 42 more states

Pollinators

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

Find rebates in your area

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Try it with your yard

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Marine West Coast Forest Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains Northwestern Forested Mountains Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Chihuahuan Deserts High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Central Great Plains Great Plains Cross Timbers Edwards Plateau Southern Texas Plains Texas Blackland Prairies East Central Texas Plains Western Gulf Coastal Plain South Central Plains Eastern Temperate Forests Ozark Highlands Central Irregular Plains Northwestern Great Plains Piedmont Western Corn Belt Plains Northern Forests Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Driftless Area Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains Central Corn Belt Plains Eastern Corn Belt Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Huron/Erie Lake Plains Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Allegheny Plateau Erie Drift Plain Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Central Appalachians Western Allegheny Plateau Interior Plateau Interior River Valleys and Hills Mississippi Alluvial Plain Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Southern Coastal Plain Southern Florida Coastal Plain Madrean Archipelago Sonoran Basin and Range Acadian Plains and Hills Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Dotted smartweed is a native annual wildflower that produces small pink or white flower spikes from summer through early fall. This moisture-loving plant thrives in wet soils and can grow quite tall, making it better suited for naturalized areas than formal gardens.

In an HOA neighborhood

Dotted Smartweed 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.

Looks weedy and informal
Can grow quite tall and rangy
Annual nature means gaps in coverage

Wildlife value

The summer flowers attract bees, flies, and beetles for nectar and pollen. Seeds provide food for waterfowl and other birds in fall.

Common questions

How much sun does Dotted Smartweed need?: Dotted Smartweed grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Dotted Smartweed bloom?: Dotted Smartweed blooms in July, August, and September.
Where is Dotted Smartweed native?: Dotted Smartweed (Persicaria punctata) is native to AL, AR, AZ, CA and 42 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Dotted Smartweed attract?: Dotted Smartweed draws bees, flies, and beetles.
Is Dotted Smartweed HOA-friendly?: Dotted Smartweed 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 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.

See all plant problem guides

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