Oregon Gumweed
Grindelia stricta
Last reviewed: August 2026
Oregon gumweed is a sticky-leaved coastal forb that produces bright yellow flowers from June through September and does best in full sun with well-drained, low-water soil along Pacific coast bluffs and marsh edges.
Toxicity unknown
Oregon Gumweed (Grindelia stricta) 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
12"–24" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
CA, OR, WA
Pollinators
bees, butterflies
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 458 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Grindelia stricta is a compact native perennial with bright yellow daisy-like flowers that bloom from summer through early fall. This drought-tolerant plant forms neat mounds of evergreen foliage and thrives in sunny locations with minimal water once established.
Growing Oregon Gumweed
Grow Oregon Gumweed in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 24 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Oregon Gumweed is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.
Works well in: foundation, mid zone.
- Flowers may appear too wild or weedy to some
- Name contains 'weed' which could raise concerns
Wildlife value
The cheerful yellow blooms are excellent for native bees and butterflies during the summer and fall months. This plant provides important late-season nectar when many other flowers have finished blooming.
Common questions
- How much water does Oregon gumweed need?
- Grindelia stricta tolerates low water once established and is often found on dry coastal bluffs, though it can handle occasional moisture in marsh-edge soils.
- What pollinators visit Oregon gumweed?
- Bees and butterflies are the most common visitors to Grindelia stricta flowers.
- When does Oregon gumweed bloom?
- Oregon gumweed typically blooms from June through September, with flowering peaking in mid to late summer.
- What growing conditions does Oregon gumweed prefer?
- It grows best in full sun with sandy, salty, or well-drained soils, similar to the coastal bluffs and marsh margins where it is commonly found.
- Is Oregon gumweed easy to maintain in a garden setting?
- Once established, it needs little supplemental water and tolerates poor, sandy soils, making it a low-maintenance choice for sunny coastal-style plantings.
- Is Oregon Gumweed HOA-friendly?
- Oregon Gumweed 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 Oregon Gumweed? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.