How much sun does Purple sanicle need?

Purple sanicle grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Purple sanicle bloom?

Purple sanicle blooms in March, April, and May.

Where is Purple sanicle native?

Purple sanicle (Sanicula bipinnatifida) is native to CA, OR, WA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Purple sanicle

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Sanicula bipinnatifida

Last reviewed: October 2026

Purple sanicle (Sanicula bipinnatifida) is a perennial forb native to CA, OR, WA. It blooms in March, April, and May. The flowers draw bees.

Toxicity unknown

Purple sanicle (Sanicula bipinnatifida) 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 × 12"–18" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

CA, OR, WA

Pollinators

bees

Before you buy

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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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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

A low rosette-forming perennial with finely divided leaves and tight rounded clusters of dark maroon-purple flowers held on branching stalks in spring. Found in grasslands and open woodlands.

Growing Purple sanicle

Grow Purple sanicle in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 8 to 24 inches tall and spread 12 to 18 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Unusual dark flower color draws small bees and flies during the spring bloom.

Common questions

How much sun does Purple sanicle need?: Purple sanicle grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Purple sanicle bloom?: Purple sanicle blooms in March, April, and May.
Where is Purple sanicle native?: Purple sanicle (Sanicula bipinnatifida) is native to CA, OR, WA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Purple sanicle attract?: Purple sanicle draws bees.

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.

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