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Downy Agrimony

Agrimonia pubescens

Last reviewed: August 2026

Downy Agrimony (Agrimonia pubescens)
Photo: Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

Toxicity unknown

Downy Agrimony (Agrimonia pubescens) 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

medium

Size

12"–36" H × 6"–12" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 28 more states

Pollinators

bees, 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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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Great PlainsOzark HighlandsCentral Irregular PlainsPiedmontWestern Corn Belt PlainsNorth Central Hardwood ForestsDriftless AreaSoutheastern Wisconsin Till PlainsCentral Corn Belt PlainsEastern Corn Belt PlainsSouthern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift PlainsNortheastern HighlandsNortheastern Coastal ZoneErie Drift PlainMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsBlue RidgeRidge and ValleyCentral AppalachiansWestern Allegheny PlateauInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsAtlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Downy agrimony is a modest native perennial with small yellow flowers arranged in slender spikes from summer through early fall. This compact plant forms neat clumps with compound leaves and maintains a tidy appearance throughout the growing season.

In an HOA neighborhood

Downy Agrimony 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.

  • Informal wildflower appearance may seem weedy
  • Dies back completely in winter leaving bare spots
  • Small flowers and loose growth habit lack formal garden appeal

Wildlife value

The small yellow flowers attract native bees and beneficial beetles during its long blooming period from July through September.

Common questions

How much sun does Downy Agrimony need?
Downy Agrimony grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Downy Agrimony bloom?
Downy Agrimony blooms in July, August, and September.
Where is Downy Agrimony native?
Downy Agrimony (Agrimonia pubescens) is native to AL, AR, CT, DE and 28 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Downy Agrimony attract?
Downy Agrimony draws bees and beetles.
Is Downy Agrimony HOA-friendly?
Downy Agrimony 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.

See all plant problem guides

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