Green Dock
Rumex conglomeratus
Last reviewed: August 2026
Green Dock is toxic to dogs and cats.
Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435and your veterinarian's emergency line.
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
12"–48" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Pollinators
beetles, flies
Native alternatives to Green Dock
Green Dock 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.
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 areaGreen dock is a tall perennial forb that grows in upright clumps with broad leaves and produces small greenish flowers on tall spikes from summer through early fall. This European native has naturalized widely but can spread aggressively and may be considered weedy in maintained landscapes. It tolerates a wide range of conditions but prefers moist soils.
In an HOA neighborhood
Green Dock 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.
- Considered weedy and can spread aggressively
- Non-native species that may be viewed as undesirable
- Tall growth habit may look unkempt in formal settings
Wildlife value
The small flowers attract beetles and flies during the long summer blooming period. Seeds provide food for birds, though the plant's weedy nature limits its desirability in formal wildlife gardens.
Common questions
- How much sun does Green Dock need?
- Green Dock grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Green Dock bloom?
- Green Dock blooms in June, July, August, and September.
- Is Green Dock toxic to dogs?
- Yes. Green Dock is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- Is Green Dock toxic to cats?
- Yes. Green Dock is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- What pollinators does Green Dock attract?
- Green Dock draws beetles and flies.
- Is Green Dock HOA-friendly?
- Green Dock 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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants like Green Dock and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.
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