When does skunk cabbage bloom?

Skunk cabbage typically flowers from March through May, often pushing its mottled spathe up through late snow and frozen ground before the leaves unfurl.

What pollinates skunk cabbage?

Flies and beetles are the main pollinators. They are drawn to the flower's carrion-like odor and to warmth generated by the spadix during cold early spring days.

What kind of site does skunk cabbage need?

It grows best in part shade with consistently wet to saturated soil, such as forested seeps, streambanks, and boggy low spots.

Does skunk cabbage keep its leaves year round?

No. It is deciduous, with large cabbage-like leaves emerging after bloom and dying back by mid to late summer.

Is Polecatweed toxic to dogs?

Yes. Polecatweed is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Polecatweed toxic to cats?

Yes. Polecatweed is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Polecatweed toxic to livestock?

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

Is Polecatweed HOA-friendly?

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

Polecatweed

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Symplocarpus foetidus

Last reviewed: August 2026

Symplocarpus foetidus, or skunk cabbage, is a wetland forb that flowers from March through May in part shade and wet, seepy soil across the eastern and midwestern United States.

Polecatweed (Symplocarpus foetidus) — Photo: Alpsdake / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Polecatweed is toxic to dogs and cats.

Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435and your veterinarian's emergency line.

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Polecatweed as toxic to livestock.

Light

part shade

Water

high

Size

12"–24" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

CT, DE, IA, IL and 19 more states

Pollinators

flies, beetles

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Western Corn Belt Plains Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Driftless Area Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains Central Corn Belt Plains Eastern Corn Belt Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Allegheny Plateau Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Western Allegheny Plateau Interior River Valleys and Hills Acadian Plains and Hills

Polecatweed is a unique native wetland plant that produces distinctive hooded flowers in early spring before large cabbage-like leaves emerge. It requires consistently moist to wet soil conditions and thrives in shaded areas near water features or low-lying spots. The plant gets its name from the strong odor it releases when bruised or damaged.

Growing Polecatweed

Grow Polecatweed in part shade and high 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

Polecatweed 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.

Strong unpleasant odor when disturbed
Very informal wetland appearance
Requires swampy conditions unsuitable for typical landscaping

Wildlife value

This plant attracts flies and beetles with its early spring blooms, providing nectar when few other flowers are available. The unusual flowering strategy makes it an important early-season pollinator resource.

Common questions

When does skunk cabbage bloom?: Skunk cabbage typically flowers from March through May, often pushing its mottled spathe up through late snow and frozen ground before the leaves unfurl.
What pollinates skunk cabbage?: Flies and beetles are the main pollinators. They are drawn to the flower's carrion-like odor and to warmth generated by the spadix during cold early spring days.
What kind of site does skunk cabbage need?: It grows best in part shade with consistently wet to saturated soil, such as forested seeps, streambanks, and boggy low spots.
Does skunk cabbage keep its leaves year round?: No. It is deciduous, with large cabbage-like leaves emerging after bloom and dying back by mid to late summer.
Is Polecatweed toxic to dogs?: Yes. Polecatweed is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Polecatweed toxic to cats?: Yes. Polecatweed is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Polecatweed toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Polecatweed as toxic to livestock.
Is Polecatweed HOA-friendly?: Polecatweed 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

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