Feverwort
Triosteum perfoliatum
Last reviewed: August 2026
Triosteum perfoliatum, or feverwort, is a woodland forb that blooms in May and June with small maroon tubular flowers visited by bees and flies. It grows well in part shade with medium moisture along forest edges and clearings.
Toxicity unknown
Feverwort (Triosteum perfoliatum) 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
medium
Size
12"–36" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
May, Jun
Native to
AL, AR, CT, DE and 26 more states
Pollinators
bees, flies
Before you buy
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Feverwort is a native perennial that forms clumps of broad, paired leaves that appear to be pierced by the stem. It produces small, inconspicuous flowers in late spring followed by orange-red berries that persist into fall.
Growing Feverwort
Grow Feverwort in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Feverwort 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 appearance may look weedy to some
- Can appear unkempt when not actively growing
- Unusual leaf arrangement may be seen as unrefined
Wildlife value
The flowers attract bees and flies for pollination. The colorful berries provide food for birds and small mammals in late summer and fall.
Common questions
- When does feverwort bloom?
- Feverwort flowers appear in May and June, with small maroon blooms clustered close to the stem at the leaf axils.
- What pollinates feverwort?
- Bees and flies are the main visitors to feverwort flowers, drawn to the short tubular blooms in late spring.
- What growing conditions suit feverwort best?
- Feverwort does well in part shade with medium moisture, typically along woodland edges, thickets, and shaded slopes.
- What kind of plant is feverwort?
- Feverwort is a herbaceous perennial forb with broad, perfoliate leaves and a coarse, upright growth habit.
- Is Feverwort HOA-friendly?
- Feverwort takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
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.
- 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 Feverwort? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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