How much sun does Lesser Twayblade need?

Lesser Twayblade grows best in shade conditions.

When does Lesser Twayblade bloom?

Lesser Twayblade blooms in May, June, and July.

Where is Lesser Twayblade native?

Lesser Twayblade (Neottia cordata) is native to CA, CO, CT, ID and 21 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Is Lesser Twayblade HOA-friendly?

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

Lesser Twayblade

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Neottia cordata

Last reviewed: August 2026

Light

shade

Water

medium

Size

3"–8" H × 2"–4" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

CA, CO, CT, ID and 21 more states

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 432 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 Southern Rockies Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains Northeastern Highlands Acadian Plains and Hills Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands

Lesser twayblade is a tiny native orchid that forms small clumps in shaded areas. This delicate woodland plant produces inconspicuous greenish flowers on short stems above heart-shaped leaves. It naturally occurs in moist, rich soils under forest canopy.

In an HOA neighborhood

Lesser Twayblade 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.

Extremely small and inconspicuous appearance
Can be mistaken for weeds or bare ground
May disappear seasonally making areas look empty

Wildlife value

As a native orchid, it provides specialized habitat value for forest ecosystems. Its small flowers may attract tiny flies and other minute pollinators, though it has limited general wildlife appeal.

Common questions

How much sun does Lesser Twayblade need?: Lesser Twayblade grows best in shade conditions.
When does Lesser Twayblade bloom?: Lesser Twayblade blooms in May, June, and July.
Where is Lesser Twayblade native?: Lesser Twayblade (Neottia cordata) is native to CA, CO, CT, ID and 21 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Lesser Twayblade HOA-friendly?: Lesser Twayblade 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 Lesser Twayblade? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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