Labrador tea
Rhododendron groenlandicum
Last reviewed: October 2026
Labrador tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum) is a perennial shrub native to CT, ID, MA, ME and 9 more states. It blooms in May, June, and July. The flowers draw bees and flies.
Labrador tea 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) 426-4435 and your veterinarian's emergency line.
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.
Native swaps for a yard with pets
Labrador tea is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. These natives fill a similar role in a planting and are not on the ASPCA toxic plant list for dogs or cats. Each plant's page carries its dated record.
Light
part sun
Water
high
Size
12"–36" H × 24"–48" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul
Native to
CT, ID, MA, ME and 9 more states
Pollinators
bees, flies
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 459 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
A low, aromatic evergreen shrub of peat bogs and wet, acidic ground, with narrow, leathery leaves that are fuzzy and rust-colored underneath. Rounded clusters of small white flowers appear in early summer.
Growing Labrador tea
Grow Labrador tea in part sun and high water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 inches tall and spread 24 to 48 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Bog-adapted flowers provide nectar for bees and flies in a habitat with relatively few other blooming shrubs.
Common questions
- How much sun does Labrador tea need?
- Labrador tea grows best in part sun conditions.
- When does Labrador tea bloom?
- Labrador tea blooms in May, June, and July.
- Where is Labrador tea native?
- Labrador tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum) is native to CT, ID, MA, ME and 9 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- Is Labrador tea toxic to dogs?
- Yes. Labrador tea 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 Labrador tea toxic to cats?
- Yes. Labrador tea 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 Labrador tea attract?
- Labrador tea draws bees and flies.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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 Labrador tea and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.