Old-man's-whiskers
Geum triflorum
Last reviewed: September 2026
Geum triflorum, or old-man's-whiskers, is a low-growing prairie forb that blooms April through June with nodding pink flowers followed by feathery seed plumes. It grows in full sun with low water needs and attracts bumble bees.
Toxicity unknown
Old-man's-whiskers (Geum triflorum) 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
low
Size
6"–18" H × 9"–12" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun
Native to
AZ, CA, CO, IA and 15 more states
Pollinators
bumble bees
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 areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
A low prairie plant with soft ferny foliage and nodding dusty-pink flowers that never fully open, followed by silky feathered seed plumes that give it a smoky look for weeks. It is drought-tolerant and long-lived.
Growing Old-man's-whiskers
Grow Old-man's-whiskers in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 6 to 18 inches tall and spread 9 to 12 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Nodding closed flowers are worked almost exclusively by queen bumble bees emerging in early spring.
Common questions
- When does old-man's-whiskers bloom?
- It typically flowers from April through June, with nodding pinkish-red blooms that later give way to long, feathery seed heads.
- What pollinates Geum triflorum?
- Bumble bees are the main visitors to its drooping, bell-shaped flowers.
- How much sun and water does this plant need?
- It grows best in full sun to part sun with low water once established, making it a good fit for dry, well-drained prairie or rock garden settings.
- What does old-man's-whiskers look like after it flowers?
- After bloom, the flowers develop into clusters of long, silvery-pink, feathery styles that resemble whiskers, which is where the common name comes from.
- Is this a good plant for a low-maintenance garden bed?
- Yes, its low, mounding basal foliage and drought tolerance make it a practical choice for sunny, dry beds that need little supplemental watering.
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 Old-man's-whiskers? 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