Hairy Goldenrod
Solidago hispida
Last reviewed: August 2026
Solidago hispida is a full sun, drought tolerant forb that blooms with yellow flower clusters from July through September, drawing bees, butterflies and beetles to open woodlands, rocky slopes and dry meadows across the eastern and midwestern United States.
Toxicity unknown
Hairy Goldenrod (Solidago hispida) 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
Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
AL, AR, CT, DE and 27 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies, beetles
Before you buy
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Hairy goldenrod is a compact native perennial that produces bright yellow flower clusters from mid-summer through early fall. This shorter goldenrod variety stays well-behaved in the garden, reaching only 1-3 feet tall with a manageable spread. Unlike some of its taller relatives, it maintains a more controlled appearance while still providing the classic golden autumn color.
Growing Hairy Goldenrod
Grow Hairy Goldenrod 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
Hairy Goldenrod is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.
Works well in: mid zone, foundation.
- May be confused with invasive weeds by uninformed neighbors
- Dies back completely in winter leaving bare spots
Wildlife value
This goldenrod is a pollinator powerhouse, attracting numerous bees, butterflies, and beetles during its long blooming period. It serves as a crucial late-season nectar source when many other flowers have finished blooming.
Common questions
- When does Hairy Goldenrod bloom?
- Hairy Goldenrod typically flowers from July into September, producing small yellow blooms in upright clusters.
- What pollinators visit Hairy Goldenrod?
- Bees, butterflies and beetles regularly visit Hairy Goldenrod for nectar and pollen during its summer bloom period.
- What light and water conditions does Hairy Goldenrod need?
- This plant grows best in full sun to partial sun and tolerates low to medium moisture, making it well suited to dry, well drained sites.
- What kind of habitat suits Hairy Goldenrod?
- Hairy Goldenrod is often found on dry, rocky slopes, sandy openings, and open woodland edges, particularly in cooler upland sites across the eastern and midwestern United States.
- Is Hairy Goldenrod HOA-friendly?
- Hairy Goldenrod 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 Hairy Goldenrod? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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