Gopherweed
Baptisia lanceolata
Last reviewed: August 2026
Baptisia lanceolata, or gopherweed, is a low-water forb that blooms pale yellow from April through June and thrives in full sun on sandy, well-drained soils across the Southeast.
Toxicity unknown
Gopherweed (Baptisia lanceolata) 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
full sun
Water
low
Size
12"–36" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun
Native to
AL, FL, GA, SC
Pollinators
bees, butterflies, beetles
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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Baptisia lanceolata is a native wildflower that produces spikes of bright yellow pea-like flowers from April through June. This drought-tolerant perennial forms a neat, compact mound and goes dormant in winter. It's an excellent low-maintenance choice for sunny areas with well-draining soil.
Growing Gopherweed
Grow Gopherweed in full sun and low 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
Gopherweed is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.
Works well in: foundation, mid zone.
- Can look sparse when dormant in winter
- May be unfamiliar to conservative HOAs
Wildlife value
This plant is a magnet for native bees, butterflies, and beetles during its long blooming period. The seeds also provide food for birds and small wildlife.
Common questions
- When does Baptisia lanceolata bloom?
- Gopherweed typically flowers from April through June, producing spikes of pale yellow blossoms.
- What pollinators visit gopherweed flowers?
- Bees, butterflies, and beetles are the main visitors, drawn to the plant's nectar and pollen during its spring bloom period.
- How much water does Baptisia lanceolata need?
- This forb prefers low water once established and does well in dry, sandy soils typical of pine flatwoods and scrub habitats.
- Does gopherweed need full sun?
- It grows best in full sun but can tolerate light, filtered shade, especially at the edges of open woodlands.
- Is Gopherweed HOA-friendly?
- Gopherweed is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
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 Gopherweed? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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