Fireweed
Chamaenerion angustifolium
Last reviewed: August 2026
Chamaenerion angustifolium, commonly called fireweed, sends up tall spikes of pink to magenta flowers from June through September. It grows well in open, disturbed ground with part shade to full sun and medium moisture.
Toxicity unknown
Fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium) 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
24"–60" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
AL, AR, AZ, CA and 42 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies, moths
Deer
Resistant (per Prairie Moon Nursery)
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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Rosebay willowherb is a tall perennial wildflower that produces striking spikes of bright pink-purple flowers from summer through early fall. This native plant forms upright colonies and thrives in partial shade with moderate moisture, making it suitable for naturalized areas and woodland edges.
Growing Fireweed
Grow Fireweed in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 24 to 60 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
Fireweed 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.
- Spreads aggressively and can look weedy
- Very tall growth may appear uncontrolled
- Common name includes 'weed' which raises HOA concerns
Wildlife value
Host plant for fireweed clearwing moth, bedstraw hawkmoth.
The long blooming period provides nectar for bees, butterflies, and moths throughout the growing season. Seeds also attract birds in late fall.
Common questions
- When does fireweed bloom?
- Fireweed typically blooms from June through September, with flowers opening progressively up the stalk over several weeks.
- What pollinators does fireweed attract?
- Fireweed flowers draw bees, butterflies, and moths, which visit for nectar throughout the summer bloom period.
- How does fireweed behave in a garden setting?
- Fireweed spreads readily by rhizomes and windborne seed, so it does best given room to roam or regular division to keep it in bounds.
- What growing conditions suit fireweed best?
- Fireweed prefers part shade to full sun and steady, medium soil moisture, and it tolerates the disturbed or recently cleared ground it often colonizes first.
- Is Fireweed HOA-friendly?
- Fireweed 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 Fireweed? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz