Devil's Shoestring
Polygonum erectum
Last reviewed: September 2026
Toxicity unknown
Devil's Shoestring (Polygonum erectum) 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
8"–24" H × 4"–12" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
AL, AR, CO, CT and 36 more states
Pollinators
bees, beetles
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 460 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
Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Devil's Shoestring.
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Erect knotweed is a small native annual with narrow leaves and tiny white to pinkish flowers that bloom from summer into fall. This compact plant forms neat, upright clumps and tolerates poor soils and dry conditions well.
In an HOA neighborhood
Devil's Shoestring 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.
- Looks like a weed to most homeowners
- Self-seeds aggressively and can spread beyond intended areas
- Very informal appearance doesn't match typical landscaping standards
Wildlife value
The small flowers attract native bees and beetles throughout the long blooming season. Seeds provide food for small birds and the foliage supports some native moth caterpillars.
Common questions
- How much sun does Devil's Shoestring need?
- Devil's Shoestring grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Devil's Shoestring bloom?
- Devil's Shoestring blooms in June, July, August, and September.
- Where is Devil's Shoestring native?
- Devil's Shoestring (Polygonum erectum) is native to AL, AR, CO, CT and 36 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Devil's Shoestring attract?
- Devil's Shoestring draws bees and beetles.
- Is Devil's Shoestring HOA-friendly?
- Devil's Shoestring takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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 Devil's Shoestring? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.