How much sun does Marsh ladies'-tresses need?

Marsh ladies'-tresses grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Marsh ladies'-tresses bloom?

Marsh ladies'-tresses blooms in September, October, and November.

Where is Marsh ladies'-tresses native?

Marsh ladies'-tresses (Spiranthes odorata) is native to AL, AR, FL, GA and 10 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What pollinators does Marsh ladies'-tresses attract?

Marsh ladies'-tresses draws bumble bees.

Marsh ladies'-tresses

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Spiranthes odorata

Last reviewed: October 2026

Marsh ladies'-tresses (Spiranthes odorata) is a perennial forb native to AL, AR, FL, GA and 10 more states. It blooms in September, October, and November. The flowers draw bumble bees.

Toxicity unknown

Marsh ladies'-tresses (Spiranthes odorata) 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.

Light

full sun

Water

high

Size

12"–24" H × 4"–6" W

Bloom

Sep, Oct, Nov

Native to

AL, AR, FL, GA and 10 more states

Pollinators

bumble bees

Before you buy

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Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 458 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

South Central Plains Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Southeastern Plains Mississippi Alluvial Plain Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Southern Coastal Plain Southern Florida Coastal Plain

Slender native orchid with a spiraling spike of small, fragrant white flowers in fall. Found in wet swamps, bogs, and roadside ditches.

Growing Marsh ladies'-tresses

Grow Marsh ladies'-tresses in full sun and high water. Mature plants reach 12 to 24 inches tall and spread 4 to 6 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Fragrant flowers attract bumblebees, the primary pollinators of this native orchid.

Common questions

How much sun does Marsh ladies'-tresses need?: Marsh ladies'-tresses grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Marsh ladies'-tresses bloom?: Marsh ladies'-tresses blooms in September, October, and November.
Where is Marsh ladies'-tresses native?: Marsh ladies'-tresses (Spiranthes odorata) is native to AL, AR, FL, GA and 10 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Marsh ladies'-tresses attract?: Marsh ladies'-tresses draws bumble bees.

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.

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