How much sun does Five-horn Smotherweed need?

Five-horn Smotherweed grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Five-horn Smotherweed bloom?

Five-horn Smotherweed blooms in August, September, and October.

Is Five-horn Smotherweed toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Five-horn Smotherweed as toxic to livestock.

Is Five-horn Smotherweed HOA-friendly?

Five-horn Smotherweed takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Five-horn Smotherweed

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Bassia hyssopifolia

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Five-horn Smotherweed (Bassia hyssopifolia) 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.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Five-horn Smotherweed as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

6"–24" H × 6"–18" W

Bloom

Aug, Sep, Oct

Native alternatives to Five-horn Smotherweed

Five-horn Smotherweed is not native to the United States. These natives fill a similar role in a planting, matched on bloom season, bloom color and mature size.

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Five-horn smotherweed is a compact annual forb that grows 6-24 inches tall with small leaves and inconspicuous flowers from August through October. This drought-tolerant plant thrives in full sun conditions and requires minimal water once established. Despite being native, it has a somewhat weedy appearance and self-seeds readily.

In an HOA neighborhood

Five-horn Smotherweed 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.

Name includes 'smotherweed' which sounds undesirable
Can appear weedy and unkempt
May spread aggressively through self-seeding

Wildlife value

This plant provides late-season habitat and seeds for small birds and insects, though it does not attract significant pollinators.

Common questions

How much sun does Five-horn Smotherweed need?: Five-horn Smotherweed grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Five-horn Smotherweed bloom?: Five-horn Smotherweed blooms in August, September, and October.
Is Five-horn Smotherweed toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Five-horn Smotherweed as toxic to livestock.
Is Five-horn Smotherweed HOA-friendly?: Five-horn Smotherweed takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

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.

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