When does Baptisia tinctoria bloom?

It typically flowers in June and July, producing small yellow pea-like blossoms on branching stems.

What pollinators visit Baptisia tinctoria?

Bumble bees are the primary visitors, working the flowers for nectar and pollen during the summer bloom period.

What growing conditions does Baptisia tinctoria prefer?

It does best in full sun to light part sun with dry, low water soil, often sandy or well drained sites like open fields, roadsides, and woodland edges.

Is Baptisia tinctoria easy to grow in a home garden?

Yes, once established it tolerates poor, dry soil and needs little supplemental watering, making it a low maintenance choice for sunny beds.

Horseflyweed

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Baptisia tinctoria

Last reviewed: November 2026

Baptisia tinctoria is a sun loving forb that blooms yellow in June and July and thrives in dry, low water sites such as open woodlands and sandy fields across the eastern United States.

Watering reminders and freeze alerts for Horseflyweed, free in the app.

Toxicity unknown

Horseflyweed (Baptisia tinctoria) 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

full sun

Water

low

Size

24"–36" H × 24"–36" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul

Native to

CT, DE, GA, IL and 19 more states

Pollinators

bumble bees

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Piedmont Central Corn Belt Plains Eastern Corn Belt Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Huron/Erie Lake Plains Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Erie Drift Plain Northern Forests Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Eastern Temperate Forests Central Appalachians Western Allegheny Plateau Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

A bushy rounded plant with small blue-green cloverlike leaves and short spikes of clear yellow pea flowers scattered across the top of the mound. It is deep-rooted, drought-proof once established, and needs no support.

Growing Horseflyweed

Grow Horseflyweed in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 24 to 36 inches tall and spread 24 to 36 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Host plant for wild indigo duskywing.

A confirmed larval host for the wild indigo duskywing, and the pea flowers are worked by large bumble bees.

Common questions

When does Baptisia tinctoria bloom?: It typically flowers in June and July, producing small yellow pea-like blossoms on branching stems.
What pollinators visit Baptisia tinctoria?: Bumble bees are the primary visitors, working the flowers for nectar and pollen during the summer bloom period.
What growing conditions does Baptisia tinctoria prefer?: It does best in full sun to light part sun with dry, low water soil, often sandy or well drained sites like open fields, roadsides, and woodland edges.
Is Baptisia tinctoria easy to grow in a home garden?: Yes, once established it tolerates poor, dry soil and needs little supplemental watering, making it a low maintenance choice for sunny beds.

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.

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