Meadowsweet
Spiraea alba
Last reviewed: August 2026
Spiraea alba, or meadowsweet, is a deciduous shrub that blooms from June through August with dense clusters of white flowers, thriving in wet meadows, marshes, and along stream banks in the northeastern and midwestern United States.
Toxicity unknown
Meadowsweet (Spiraea alba) 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 Meadowsweet as toxic to livestock.
Light
part shade
Water
medium
Size
24"–60" H × 24"–48" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
CT, DE, IA, IL and 22 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies, beetles, flies
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
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Meadowsweet is a medium-sized native shrub that produces clusters of small white flowers from June through August. This deciduous plant grows in a naturally rounded form and tolerates partial shade conditions well, making it versatile for various garden locations.
Growing Meadowsweet
Grow Meadowsweet in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 24 to 60 inches tall and spread 24 to 48 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Meadowsweet is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
- May look bare in winter as deciduous shrub
Wildlife value
The long blooming period attracts a diverse range of pollinators including bees, butterflies, beetles, and flies. This makes it an excellent choice for supporting local pollinator populations throughout the summer months.
Common questions
- When does Spiraea alba bloom?
- Spiraea alba blooms from June through August, producing dense, cone shaped clusters of small white flowers at the tips of its stems.
- What pollinators are attracted to Spiraea alba?
- Bees, butterflies, beetles, and flies regularly visit Spiraea alba flowers to feed on nectar and pollen.
- What growing conditions does Spiraea alba need?
- It grows well in part shade to full sun and prefers consistently moist to wet soil, making it a good fit for low spots, pond edges, and rain gardens.
- How big does Spiraea alba get?
- This shrub typically grows three to five feet tall and wide, often forming spreading colonies from root suckers over time.
- Is Meadowsweet toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Meadowsweet as toxic to livestock.
- Is Meadowsweet HOA-friendly?
- Meadowsweet is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
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 Meadowsweet? 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
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz