Graceful Cinquefoil
Potentilla gracilis
Last reviewed: June 2026
Graceful Cinquefoil (Potentilla gracilis) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org, last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
8"–24" H × 6"–18" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
AZ, CA, CO, ID and 12 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies, beetles
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Graceful cinquefoil is a compact native perennial that produces bright yellow five-petaled flowers from late spring through summer. This drought-tolerant plant forms neat clumps with attractive palmate leaves and maintains a tidy appearance throughout the growing season.
In an HOA neighborhood
Graceful Cinquefoil is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
- Goes dormant in winter leaving bare spots
Wildlife value
The cheerful yellow flowers attract bees, butterflies, and beneficial beetles throughout its long blooming period. Its extended flowering season makes it a reliable nectar source for pollinators from May through August.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Does Graceful Cinquefoil fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.