When does Missouri Ironweed bloom?

Missouri Ironweed typically flowers from July into September, with the deep purple flower clusters forming on tall, sturdy stems.

What pollinators visit Missouri Ironweed?

Bees, butterflies, and moths regularly visit Missouri Ironweed for nectar during its summer bloom period.

How much light does Missouri Ironweed need to flower well?

Full sun produces the strongest flowering and sturdiest stems, though the plant can tolerate somewhat lighter, part-sun conditions.

How much water does Missouri Ironweed need?

It grows best with medium soil moisture but can handle wetter sites such as ditches, low meadows, and streambanks.

Does Missouri Ironweed die back in winter?

Yes, it is a deciduous herbaceous forb that dies back to the ground each fall and regrows from its root system in spring.

Is Missouri Ironweed toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Missouri Ironweed as toxic to livestock.

Is Missouri Ironweed HOA-friendly?

Missouri Ironweed takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Missouri Ironweed

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Vernonia missurica

Last reviewed: September 2026

Missouri Ironweed is a tall prairie forb with clusters of purple flowers from July through September. It grows in full sun with medium moisture and draws bees, butterflies, and moths.

Toxicity unknown

Missouri Ironweed (Vernonia missurica) 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 Missouri Ironweed as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

36"–72" H × 24"–36" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, GA, IA and 11 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, moths

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.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

East Central Texas Plains Western Gulf Coastal Plain South Central Plains Eastern Temperate Forests Ozark Highlands Central Irregular Plains Western Corn Belt Plains Central Corn Belt Plains Eastern Corn Belt Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Huron/Erie Lake Plains Southeastern Plains Interior River Valleys and Hills Mississippi Alluvial Plain Mississippi Valley Loess Plains

Vernonia missurica is a tall native perennial that produces clusters of bright purple flowers from midsummer through fall. This robust wildflower grows 3-6 feet tall and spreads to form substantial clumps over time.

Growing Missouri Ironweed

Grow Missouri Ironweed in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 36 to 72 inches tall and spread 24 to 36 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Missouri Ironweed 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
Spreads aggressively to form large colonies
Dies back completely in winter leaving bare stems

Wildlife value

The purple blooms are magnets for butterflies, bees, and moths during late summer when few other natives are flowering. Seeds provide food for birds in fall and winter.

Common questions

When does Missouri Ironweed bloom?: Missouri Ironweed typically flowers from July into September, with the deep purple flower clusters forming on tall, sturdy stems.
What pollinators visit Missouri Ironweed?: Bees, butterflies, and moths regularly visit Missouri Ironweed for nectar during its summer bloom period.
How much light does Missouri Ironweed need to flower well?: Full sun produces the strongest flowering and sturdiest stems, though the plant can tolerate somewhat lighter, part-sun conditions.
How much water does Missouri Ironweed need?: It grows best with medium soil moisture but can handle wetter sites such as ditches, low meadows, and streambanks.
Does Missouri Ironweed die back in winter?: Yes, it is a deciduous herbaceous forb that dies back to the ground each fall and regrows from its root system in spring.
Is Missouri Ironweed toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Missouri Ironweed as toxic to livestock.
Is Missouri Ironweed HOA-friendly?: Missouri Ironweed 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.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Missouri Ironweed? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden

iPhone app Android app

Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant

Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz