When does marsh elder bloom?

Marsh elder (Iva frutescens) blooms from June through September, producing small clusters of greenish flowers along its upper stems.

What growing conditions does marsh elder prefer?

It does best in full sun with medium soil moisture, and it tolerates the periodic flooding and salt exposure typical of coastal marsh edges.

What insects are attracted to marsh elder flowers?

Bees, butterflies, and beetles visit marsh elder for pollen and nectar during its summer bloom period.

Does marsh elder lose its leaves in winter?

Yes, marsh elder is deciduous, dropping its leaves in fall and producing new woody growth each spring.

Is Marsh-elder toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Marsh-elder as toxic to livestock.

Is Marsh-elder HOA-friendly?

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

Marsh-elder

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Iva frutescens

Last reviewed: September 2026

Iva frutescens is a woody shrub of salt and brackish marshes along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, blooming with small greenish flower clusters from June through September in full sun and medium moisture.

Toxicity unknown

Marsh-elder (Iva frutescens) 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.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Marsh-elder as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

36"–120" H × 36"–72" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, CT, DE, FL and 15 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, beetles

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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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Western Gulf Coastal Plain Northeastern Coastal Zone Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Mississippi Alluvial Plain Southern Coastal Plain Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Marsh-elder is a robust native shrub that grows 3-10 feet tall with a dense, rounded form. It produces clusters of small greenish flowers from summer through early fall and thrives in full sun with moderate water needs. This deciduous shrub provides reliable structure in the landscape while supporting native wildlife.

Growing Marsh-elder

Grow Marsh-elder in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 36 to 120 inches tall and spread 36 to 72 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Marsh-elder 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.

Flowers are small and greenish, not showy
Can appear wild or unstructured in growth habit
May be perceived as weedy by traditional landscaping standards

Wildlife value

The long blooming period from June through September makes this an excellent pollinator plant, attracting bees, butterflies, and beetles. Seeds provide food for birds, particularly finches and sparrows.

Common questions

When does marsh elder bloom?: Marsh elder (Iva frutescens) blooms from June through September, producing small clusters of greenish flowers along its upper stems.
What growing conditions does marsh elder prefer?: It does best in full sun with medium soil moisture, and it tolerates the periodic flooding and salt exposure typical of coastal marsh edges.
What insects are attracted to marsh elder flowers?: Bees, butterflies, and beetles visit marsh elder for pollen and nectar during its summer bloom period.
Does marsh elder lose its leaves in winter?: Yes, marsh elder is deciduous, dropping its leaves in fall and producing new woody growth each spring.
Is Marsh-elder toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Marsh-elder as toxic to livestock.
Is Marsh-elder HOA-friendly?: Marsh-elder 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.

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.

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