When does hemp dogbane bloom?

Hemp dogbane typically blooms from June through August, producing small clusters of pale greenish white flowers.

What pollinators visit hemp dogbane?

Bees, butterflies and moths are the main visitors, drawn to the plant's small nectar rich flowers during the summer bloom period.

How much sun and water does hemp dogbane need?

It grows best in full sun with medium moisture, though established plants also tolerate wetter soils near streambanks and drier upland sites.

What growth habit does hemp dogbane have?

It is an herbaceous perennial forb that dies back to the ground each winter and resprouts from spreading roots in spring.

Is Hemp Dogbane toxic to dogs?

Yes. Hemp Dogbane 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 Dogbane toxic to cats?

Yes. Hemp Dogbane 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.

Is Hemp Dogbane toxic to livestock?

Hemp Dogbane is listed as toxic to grazing livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats (severe severity) by the USDA PLANTS Database. This is separate from pet (dog and cat) toxicity.

Is Hemp Dogbane HOA-friendly?

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

Hemp Dogbane

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Apocynum cannabinum

Last reviewed: August 2026

Hemp dogbane is a summer blooming forb, flowering June through August, that attracts bees, butterflies and moths and grows well in full sun with medium moisture across many U.S. climates.

Hemp Dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum) — Photo: Thayne Tuason / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

Hemp Dogbane is toxic to dogs and cats.

Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-05-21). 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.

Hemp Dogbane is listed as toxic to grazing livestock (cattle, sheep, and goats) at a severe level by the USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab). This is a livestock indicator and is separate from pet toxicity.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

24"–60" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

AL, AR, AZ, CA and 44 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, moths

Before you buy

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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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Browse plants for this ecoregion

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Indian-hemp is a tall native perennial that produces clusters of small white or greenish flowers during summer months. This upright plant spreads moderately and goes dormant in winter, losing its leaves completely.

Growing Hemp Dogbane

Grow Hemp Dogbane in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 24 to 60 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

Hemp Dogbane 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.

Name contains 'hemp' which may cause neighbor concerns
Can look weedy and unkempt in dormant season
Tall informal growth habit lacks structured appearance

Wildlife value

Excellent pollinator plant that attracts bees, butterflies, and moths with its summer blooms. The flowers provide nectar for a variety of beneficial insects.

Common questions

When does hemp dogbane bloom?: Hemp dogbane typically blooms from June through August, producing small clusters of pale greenish white flowers.
What pollinators visit hemp dogbane?: Bees, butterflies and moths are the main visitors, drawn to the plant's small nectar rich flowers during the summer bloom period.
How much sun and water does hemp dogbane need?: It grows best in full sun with medium moisture, though established plants also tolerate wetter soils near streambanks and drier upland sites.
What growth habit does hemp dogbane have?: It is an herbaceous perennial forb that dies back to the ground each winter and resprouts from spreading roots in spring.
Is Hemp Dogbane toxic to dogs?: Yes. Hemp Dogbane 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 Dogbane toxic to cats?: Yes. Hemp Dogbane 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.
Is Hemp Dogbane toxic to livestock?: Hemp Dogbane is listed as toxic to grazing livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats (severe severity) by the USDA PLANTS Database. This is separate from pet (dog and cat) toxicity.
Is Hemp Dogbane HOA-friendly?: Hemp Dogbane takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

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.

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