Little Leaf Sumac
Rhus microphylla
Last reviewed: September 2026
Rhus microphylla is a low water shrub that grows well in full sun across hot, dry parts of the southwestern United States, with small white flowers appearing from March through May.
Toxicity unknown
Little Leaf Sumac (Rhus microphylla) 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 Little Leaf Sumac as toxic to livestock.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
48"–96" H × 96"–240" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May
Native to
AZ, NM, OK, TX
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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Little Leaf Sumac is a drought-tolerant native shrub with small, compound leaves and clusters of tiny spring flowers. It develops brilliant orange-red fall color before going dormant in winter. This hardy plant thrives in poor soils and extremely dry conditions.
Growing Little Leaf Sumac
Grow Little Leaf Sumac in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 48 to 96 inches tall and spread 96 to 240 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Little Leaf Sumac 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.
- Height exceeds typical HOA-friendly range
Wildlife value
The spring flowers attract various small pollinators including native bees and beneficial wasps. Birds consume the small red berries that follow the blooms.
Common questions
- When does little leaf sumac bloom?
- Little leaf sumac typically flowers from March through May, producing small clusters of white to pale yellow blooms before its leaves fully expand.
- How much water does little leaf sumac need?
- This shrub is adapted to low water conditions and tolerates extended dry periods once established, making it a good fit for arid and semi-arid landscapes.
- What light conditions suit little leaf sumac best?
- It grows best in full sun and holds up well in open, exposed sites with intense summer heat.
- Do specific pollinators rely on little leaf sumac?
- No specific pollinator relationships have been documented for this species in the records used here, though small bees and other insects may visit the spring flowers.
- Is Little Leaf Sumac toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Little Leaf Sumac as toxic to livestock.
- Is Little Leaf Sumac HOA-friendly?
- Little Leaf Sumac 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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Little Leaf Sumac? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant
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