How much sun does Dragon's Mouth need?

Dragon's Mouth grows best in part shade conditions.

When does Dragon's Mouth bloom?

Dragon's Mouth blooms in May and June.

Where is Dragon's Mouth native?

Dragon's Mouth (Arethusa bulbosa) is native to CT, DE, IL, IN and 16 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Is Dragon's Mouth HOA-friendly?

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

Dragon's Mouth

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Arethusa bulbosa

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Dragon's Mouth (Arethusa bulbosa) 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 shade

Water

high

Size

4"–8" H × 2"–4" W

Bloom

May, Jun

Native to

CT, DE, IL, IN and 16 more states

Pollinators

bees

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.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains Eastern Corn Belt Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Acadian Plains and Hills Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Dragon's mouth is a rare native orchid that produces a single striking pink flower with distinctive white and purple markings in late spring. This tiny woodland plant requires consistently moist, acidic soil and is extremely difficult to establish and maintain in typical garden settings.

In an HOA neighborhood

Dragon's Mouth takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Extremely small size makes it nearly invisible in landscape
Single leaf and flower create very sparse appearance
Requires specialized bog conditions difficult to maintain

Wildlife value

The unique orchid flowers attract specialized native bees during its brief blooming period in May and June.

Common questions

How much sun does Dragon's Mouth need?: Dragon's Mouth grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Dragon's Mouth bloom?: Dragon's Mouth blooms in May and June.
Where is Dragon's Mouth native?: Dragon's Mouth (Arethusa bulbosa) is native to CT, DE, IL, IN and 16 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Dragon's Mouth attract?: Dragon's Mouth draws bees.
Is Dragon's Mouth HOA-friendly?: Dragon's Mouth 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

Ready to grow Dragon's Mouth? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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