How much sun does Irish Lady's-tresses need?

Irish Lady's-tresses grows best in part shade conditions.

When does Irish Lady's-tresses bloom?

Irish Lady's-tresses blooms in July, August, and September.

Where is Irish Lady's-tresses native?

Irish Lady's-tresses (Spiranthes romanzoffiana) is native to AZ, CA, CO, CT and 25 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Is Irish Lady's-tresses toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Irish Lady's-tresses as toxic to livestock.

What pollinators does Irish Lady's-tresses attract?

Irish Lady's-tresses draws bees and moths.

Is Irish Lady's-tresses HOA-friendly?

Irish Lady's-tresses takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Irish Lady's-tresses

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Spiranthes romanzoffiana

Last reviewed: August 2026

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Irish Lady's-tresses as toxic to livestock.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

6"–20" H × 2"–6" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, CT and 25 more states

Pollinators

bees, moths

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 437 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

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Southern California Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Southern Rockies Northwestern Great Plains Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Northeastern Highlands Acadian Plains and Hills

Irish lady's-tresses is a slender native orchid that produces delicate white flower spikes in late summer. This understated perennial grows in narrow clumps and thrives in partially shaded areas with consistent moisture.

In an HOA neighborhood

Irish Lady's-tresses 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.

Works well in: backyard only.

Extremely subtle appearance that most HOAs would not recognize as intentional landscaping
Narrow growth form can appear sparse or incomplete
May go completely dormant and disappear for periods

Wildlife value

The small white flowers attract bees and night-flying moths during the summer blooming period. As a native orchid, it provides specialized nectar resources for pollinators.

Common questions

How much sun does Irish Lady's-tresses need?: Irish Lady's-tresses grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Irish Lady's-tresses bloom?: Irish Lady's-tresses blooms in July, August, and September.
Where is Irish Lady's-tresses native?: Irish Lady's-tresses (Spiranthes romanzoffiana) is native to AZ, CA, CO, CT and 25 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Irish Lady's-tresses toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Irish Lady's-tresses as toxic to livestock.
What pollinators does Irish Lady's-tresses attract?: Irish Lady's-tresses draws bees and moths.
Is Irish Lady's-tresses HOA-friendly?: Irish Lady's-tresses 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.

Ready to grow Irish Lady's-tresses? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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