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Meadowfoam

Limnanthes alba

Last reviewed: September 2026

Meadowfoam (Limnanthes alba)
Photo: (c) Justin Felder, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

Meadowfoam (Limnanthes alba) is not flagged as toxic to dogs or cats by Plants For A Future (PFAF) (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-05-21). This verdict does not come from the ASPCA. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

4"–12" H × 6"–15" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May, Jun

Native to

CA, OR

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

Marine West Coast ForestNorthwestern Forested MountainsSierra NevadaCentral California Foothills and Coastal MountainsCentral California ValleySouthern California MountainsSouthern California/Northern Baja Coast

Meadowfoam is a charming spring annual wildflower featuring delicate white cup-shaped blooms with yellow centers. It grows in a low mounding form and creates a stunning carpet-like effect when planted in masses, blooming profusely from March through June.

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In an HOA neighborhood

Meadowfoam is an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement. Maintenance level: moderate. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.

Works well in: mid zone, front yard.

  • Annual growth habit means seasonal die-back
  • Can look untidy after flowering
  • Best used in defined planting areas rather than large expanses

Wildlife value

Meadowfoam is highly attractive to native bees and hover flies, providing valuable early-season nectar and pollen when many other plants aren't yet flowering.

Common questions

How much sun does Meadowfoam need?
Meadowfoam grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Meadowfoam bloom?
Meadowfoam blooms in March, April, May, and June.
Where is Meadowfoam native?
Meadowfoam (Limnanthes alba) is native to CA, OR, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
Is Meadowfoam toxic to dogs?
Meadowfoam is not flagged as toxic to dogs by Plants For A Future (PFAF). This verdict does not come from the ASPCA.
Is Meadowfoam toxic to cats?
Meadowfoam is not flagged as toxic to cats by Plants For A Future (PFAF). This verdict does not come from the ASPCA.
What pollinators does Meadowfoam attract?
Meadowfoam draws bees and flies.
Is Meadowfoam HOA-friendly?
Meadowfoam is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.

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.

See all plant problem guides

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