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Marsh-elder

Iva annua

Last reviewed: August 2026

Marsh-elder (Iva annua)
Photo: (c) Laura Clark, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Laura Clark

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

24"–72" H × 12"–36" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, CO, FL and 27 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles, 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 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

Southwestern TablelandsCentral Great PlainsGreat PlainsCross TimbersEdwards PlateauTexas Blackland PrairiesEast Central Texas PlainsWestern Gulf Coastal PlainSouth Central PlainsEastern Temperate ForestsOzark HighlandsCentral Irregular PlainsPiedmontWestern Corn Belt PlainsMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainSoutheastern PlainsRidge and ValleyInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsMississippi Alluvial PlainMississippi Valley Loess PlainsSouthern Coastal Plain

Marsh-elder is a tall annual wildflower that produces small greenish flowers in late summer. This native plant can reach up to 6 feet tall and has a somewhat coarse, weedy appearance that's better suited for naturalized areas than formal gardens.

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.

  • Very tall and can appear weedy
  • Annual growth creates gaps when plants die back
  • Informal appearance not suitable for maintained landscapes

Wildlife value

The flowers attract various pollinators including bees, beetles, and flies during the summer months. Seeds provide food for birds in fall.

Common questions

How much sun does Marsh-elder need?
Marsh-elder grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Marsh-elder bloom?
Marsh-elder blooms in July, August, and September.
Where is Marsh-elder native?
Marsh-elder (Iva annua) is native to AL, AR, CO, FL and 27 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Marsh-elder attract?
Marsh-elder draws bees, beetles, and flies.
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.

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 Marsh-elder? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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