Heart-leaf Arnica
Arnica cordifolia
Last reviewed: September 2026
Toxicity unknown
Heart-leaf Arnica (Arnica cordifolia) 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 Heart-leaf Arnica as toxic to livestock.
Light
part sun
Water
low
Size
6"–24" H × 6"–18" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul
Native to
AZ, CA, CO, ID and 9 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.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
Heart-leaf arnica is a low-growing native wildflower that produces bright yellow daisy-like blooms from May through July. This woodland perennial spreads gradually by underground rhizomes and goes dormant in winter, disappearing completely until spring growth returns.
In an HOA neighborhood
Heart-leaf Arnica 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.
- Completely disappears in winter leaving bare ground
- Informal wildflower appearance may look weedy
- Spreads unpredictably by rhizomes
Wildlife value
The cheerful yellow flowers attract bees, butterflies, and beetles during the late spring and early summer blooming period. As a native plant, it provides important nectar resources for local pollinators.
Common questions
- How much sun does Heart-leaf Arnica need?
- Heart-leaf Arnica grows best in part sun conditions.
- When does Heart-leaf Arnica bloom?
- Heart-leaf Arnica blooms in May, June, and July.
- Where is Heart-leaf Arnica native?
- Heart-leaf Arnica (Arnica cordifolia) is native to AZ, CA, CO, ID and 9 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- Is Heart-leaf Arnica toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Heart-leaf Arnica as toxic to livestock.
- What pollinators does Heart-leaf Arnica attract?
- Heart-leaf Arnica draws bees, butterflies, and beetles.
- Is Heart-leaf Arnica HOA-friendly?
- Heart-leaf Arnica 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.
- 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 Heart-leaf Arnica? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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