Hemp
Cannabis sativa
Last reviewed: August 2026

Hemp is toxic to dogs and cats.
Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-08-15). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435and your veterinarian's emergency line.
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
36"–120" H × 12"–48" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Pollinators
bees, beetles
Native alternatives to Hemp
Hemp is not native to the United States. These natives fill a similar role in a planting, matched on bloom season, bloom color and mature size.
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 areaHemp is a tall annual herb that can grow up to 10 feet tall with distinctive palmate leaves and small greenish flowers in summer. This fast-growing plant requires full sun and regular watering to reach its full potential. As an annual, it completes its entire life cycle in one growing season.
In an HOA neighborhood
Hemp takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
- Legal restrictions and permits required
- Strong negative social stigma regardless of legality
- Can appear weedy and unmanicured
Wildlife value
The summer blooms attract bees and beetles for pollination. Seeds can provide food for birds if allowed to mature.
Common questions
- How much sun does Hemp need?
- Hemp grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Hemp bloom?
- Hemp blooms in June, July, and August.
- Is Hemp toxic to dogs?
- Yes. Hemp is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- Is Hemp toxic to cats?
- Yes. Hemp is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- What pollinators does Hemp attract?
- Hemp draws bees and beetles.
- Is Hemp HOA-friendly?
- Hemp takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
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
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants like Hemp and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant
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