How much water does groundselbush need?

Groundselbush grows well with medium moisture but tolerates a wide range, from wet, poorly drained soils near tidal marshes to dry, sandy upland sites.

When does groundselbush bloom?

Groundselbush typically flowers from August through October, with the showy white seed fluff on female plants appearing soon after.

What pollinators visit groundselbush?

Bees, butterflies, and beetles commonly visit groundselbush flowers for nectar and pollen during its late summer and fall bloom.

Does groundselbush keep its leaves year round?

No, groundselbush is deciduous and loses its leaves in winter after flowering and seed dispersal in fall.

Is Groundselbush toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Groundselbush as toxic to livestock.

Is Groundselbush HOA-friendly?

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

Groundselbush

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Baccharis halimifolia

Last reviewed: September 2026

Groundselbush is a fast growing shrub found in coastal marshes, dune edges, and disturbed sandy soils along the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains, blooming from August through October with clusters of small white flowers.

Toxicity unknown

Groundselbush (Baccharis halimifolia) 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 Groundselbush as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

72"–168" H × 60"–120" W

Bloom

Aug, Sep, Oct

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 14 more states

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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Browse plants for this ecoregion

East Central Texas Plains Western Gulf Coastal Plain South Central Plains Piedmont Northeastern Coastal Zone Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Mississippi Alluvial Plain Southern Coastal Plain Southern Florida Coastal Plain Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Groundselbush is a large native shrub that produces clusters of small white flowers in late summer and fall. It grows quite large, reaching 6-14 feet tall and wide, making it suitable for spacious areas where it can develop its natural form.

Growing Groundselbush

Grow Groundselbush in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 72 to 168 inches tall and spread 60 to 120 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Groundselbush 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.

Very large mature size may appear overgrown
Common name includes 'weed' which creates negative perception
Can look scraggly in winter when dormant

Wildlife value

This shrub is excellent for late-season pollinators, attracting bees, butterflies, and beetles when few other plants are blooming. It serves as an important nectar source during fall migration periods.

Common questions

How much water does groundselbush need?: Groundselbush grows well with medium moisture but tolerates a wide range, from wet, poorly drained soils near tidal marshes to dry, sandy upland sites.
When does groundselbush bloom?: Groundselbush typically flowers from August through October, with the showy white seed fluff on female plants appearing soon after.
What pollinators visit groundselbush?: Bees, butterflies, and beetles commonly visit groundselbush flowers for nectar and pollen during its late summer and fall bloom.
Does groundselbush keep its leaves year round?: No, groundselbush is deciduous and loses its leaves in winter after flowering and seed dispersal in fall.
Is Groundselbush toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Groundselbush as toxic to livestock.
Is Groundselbush HOA-friendly?: Groundselbush takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

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.

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