Motherwort
Leonurus cardiaca
Last reviewed: August 2026
Toxicity unknown
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) 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
part shade
Water
medium
Size
24"–48" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Pollinators
bees, moths
Native alternatives to Motherwort
Motherwort is not native to the United States. These natives fill a similar role in a planting, matched on bloom season, bloom color and mature size.
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.
Find rebates in your areaPicture natives in your own yard
Wondering what could grow where Motherwort is now? Upload a photo of the spot and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it replanted with natives for your region.
Motherwort is a tall perennial herb with deeply lobed leaves and small pink or white flowers arranged in whorls around square stems. This old-world medicinal plant can spread aggressively and may appear weedy, especially when not in bloom.
In an HOA neighborhood
Motherwort takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Can spread aggressively and appear weedy
- Tall growth habit may look unkempt
Wildlife value
The small tubular flowers attract bees and moths during the long summer blooming period from June through September.
Common questions
- How much sun does Motherwort need?
- Motherwort grows best in part shade conditions.
- When does Motherwort bloom?
- Motherwort blooms in June, July, August, and September.
- What pollinators does Motherwort attract?
- Motherwort draws bees and moths.
- Is Motherwort HOA-friendly?
- Motherwort takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
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 Motherwort? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.