How much sun does Ghostpipes need?

Ghostpipes grows best in part sun conditions.

When does Ghostpipes bloom?

Ghostpipes blooms in May, June, and July.

Where is Ghostpipes native?

Ghostpipes (Aphyllon uniflorum) is native to AL, AR, AZ, CA and 42 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Is Ghostpipes HOA-friendly?

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

Ghostpipes

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Aphyllon uniflorum

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Ghostpipes (Aphyllon uniflorum) 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 sun

Water

low

Size

4"–12" H × 2"–6" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

AL, AR, AZ, CA and 42 more states

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

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains High Plains Eastern Temperate Forests Ozark Highlands Central Irregular Plains Piedmont Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Driftless Area Central Corn Belt Plains Eastern Corn Belt Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Allegheny Plateau Erie Drift Plain Northern Forests Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Central Appalachians Western Allegheny Plateau Interior River Valleys and Hills Acadian Plains and Hills Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

One-flowered broomrape is a parasitic plant that lacks chlorophyll and grows by attaching to the roots of other plants. It produces small purple or white tubular flowers on leafless stems in late spring and summer.

In an HOA neighborhood

Ghostpipes 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.

Appears sporadically and unpredictably
Lacks leaves and green foliage
Can look like a weed or unwanted growth

Wildlife value

The flowers may attract small pollinators like bees and flies, though its parasitic nature limits its overall ecological contribution.

Common questions

How much sun does Ghostpipes need?: Ghostpipes grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Ghostpipes bloom?: Ghostpipes blooms in May, June, and July.
Where is Ghostpipes native?: Ghostpipes (Aphyllon uniflorum) is native to AL, AR, AZ, CA and 42 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Ghostpipes HOA-friendly?: Ghostpipes 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 Ghostpipes? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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