How much sun does Hairy Lettuce need?

Hairy Lettuce grows best in part sun conditions.

When does Hairy Lettuce bloom?

Hairy Lettuce blooms in June, July, and August.

Where is Hairy Lettuce native?

Hairy Lettuce (Lactuca hirsuta) is native to AL, AR, CT, GA and 23 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What pollinators does Hairy Lettuce attract?

Hairy Lettuce draws bees, beetles, and flies.

Is Hairy Lettuce HOA-friendly?

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

Hairy Lettuce

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Lactuca hirsuta

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Hairy Lettuce (Lactuca hirsuta) 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

part sun

Water

medium

Size

12"–48" H × 6"–18" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

AL, AR, CT, GA and 23 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles, flies

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 area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

South Central Plains Ozark Highlands Piedmont Northern Lakes and Forests Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Forests Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Ridge and Valley Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Southern Coastal Plain Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Hairy lettuce is a native annual wildflower that grows 1 to 4 feet tall with small yellow flowers blooming through summer. This wild lettuce species produces clusters of dandelion-like blooms that attract various pollinators. As an annual, it completes its entire life cycle in one growing season and may self-seed in favorable conditions.

In an HOA neighborhood

Hairy Lettuce 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.

Resembles weedy lettuce plants
Can look unkempt as it matures and goes to seed
May spread unpredictably as annual

Wildlife value

The summer flowers provide nectar for bees, beetles, and flies. Seeds may also feed small birds later in the season.

Common questions

How much sun does Hairy Lettuce need?: Hairy Lettuce grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Hairy Lettuce bloom?: Hairy Lettuce blooms in June, July, and August.
Where is Hairy Lettuce native?: Hairy Lettuce (Lactuca hirsuta) is native to AL, AR, CT, GA and 23 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Hairy Lettuce attract?: Hairy Lettuce draws bees, beetles, and flies.
Is Hairy Lettuce HOA-friendly?: Hairy Lettuce takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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.

See all plant problem guides

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