Heart-leaf Golden Alexanders
Zizia aptera
Last reviewed: September 2026
Zizia aptera is a low, clump forming forb with flat clusters of small yellow flowers in May and June, found in prairies, meadows and open woodlands across much of the central and eastern United States.
Toxicity unknown
Heart-leaf Golden Alexanders (Zizia aptera) 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"–24" H × 6"–12" W
Bloom
May, Jun
Native to
AL, AR, CO, CT and 33 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies, beetles, wasps
Deer
Resistant (per Prairie Moon Nursery)
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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Meadow zizia is a compact native perennial that forms neat clumps with divided, bright green foliage. It produces clusters of small yellow flowers in late spring and early summer, creating a tidy, well-behaved appearance in the garden.
Growing Heart-leaf Golden Alexanders
Grow Heart-leaf Golden Alexanders in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 12 to 24 inches tall and spread 6 to 12 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Heart-leaf Golden Alexanders is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
- Goes dormant in winter leaving bare spots
Wildlife value
Host plant for black swallowtail butterfly.
The yellow flowers attract a diverse range of pollinators including native bees, butterflies, beetles, and wasps. It serves as a host plant for black swallowtail butterfly caterpillars.
Common questions
- When does Zizia aptera bloom?
- Zizia aptera blooms in May and June, producing flat topped clusters of small yellow flowers typical of the carrot family.
- What pollinators visit Zizia aptera?
- Bees, butterflies, beetles and wasps visit the flowers of Zizia aptera to feed on nectar and pollen.
- How much water does Zizia aptera need?
- Zizia aptera does best with medium soil moisture but can handle drier spells once it is established in a garden bed or prairie planting.
- What light conditions does Zizia aptera prefer?
- Zizia aptera grows well in part sun and also tolerates full sun to part shade, making it flexible for prairie gardens and open woodland edges.
- What growth habit does Zizia aptera have?
- Zizia aptera is a deciduous herbaceous forb that dies back to the ground each year and regrows from its root crown in spring.
- Is Heart-leaf Golden Alexanders HOA-friendly?
- Heart-leaf Golden Alexanders 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 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 Golden Alexanders? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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