Dwarf Brodiaea
Brodiaea terrestris
Last reviewed: July 2026
Dwarf Brodiaea (Brodiaea terrestris) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org (opens in new tab), last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
2"–12" H × 2"–6" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun
Native to
CA, OR
Pollinators
bees
Before you buy
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Dwarf brodiaea is a charming native perennial with grass-like foliage and small star-shaped purple flowers on short stems in spring. These delicate wildflowers grow from small corms and blend beautifully with grasses or as accents in rock gardens. They go dormant in summer after blooming.
In an HOA neighborhood
Dwarf Brodiaea is an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, mid zone.
- Small stature makes it less noticeable as a feature plant
- Goes dormant after flowering which may leave bare spots
- Best incorporated into designed beds rather than as standalone
Wildlife value
The purple flowers of dwarf brodiaea provide nectar for native bees and other pollinators in late spring and early summer when many other plants have finished blooming.
Common questions
- How much sun does Dwarf Brodiaea need?
- Dwarf Brodiaea grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Dwarf Brodiaea bloom?
- Dwarf Brodiaea blooms in April, May, and June.
- Where is Dwarf Brodiaea native?
- Dwarf Brodiaea (Brodiaea terrestris) is native to CA, OR, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- Is Dwarf Brodiaea toxic to dogs?
- Dwarf Brodiaea is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
- Is Dwarf Brodiaea toxic to cats?
- Dwarf Brodiaea is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
- What pollinators does Dwarf Brodiaea attract?
- Dwarf Brodiaea draws bees.
- Is Dwarf Brodiaea HOA-friendly?
- Dwarf Brodiaea is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
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.
- 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 Dwarf Brodiaea? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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