How much light does Ram's Horn need?

Ram's Horn grows best in full sun and will also tolerate part sun conditions, though flowering may be reduced with less light.

When does Ram's Horn bloom?

Ram's Horn typically flowers from June through August, producing its distinctive curved seed pods after the blooms fade.

What pollinators visit Ram's Horn?

Bees and butterflies are the primary visitors to Ram's Horn flowers during its summer bloom period.

How much water does Ram's Horn need?

This plant does well with medium moisture and can tolerate drier, well drained soils once it is established.

What growth habit does Ram's Horn have?

Ram's Horn is a spreading annual forb with sprawling stems and sticky, hairy foliage, dying back completely at the end of the growing season.

Is Ram's Horn HOA-friendly?

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

Ram's Horn

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Proboscidea louisianica

Last reviewed: August 2026

Proboscidea louisianica, known as Ram's Horn, is an annual forb that blooms from June through August in full sun with medium moisture, often growing in sandy soils and disturbed ground in warm-season climates.

Toxicity unknown

Ram's Horn (Proboscidea louisianica) 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

medium

Size

12"–48" H × 12"–36" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

CA, CO, FL, GA and 18 more states

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 452 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

Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains Chihuahuan Deserts High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Central Great Plains Cross Timbers Edwards Plateau Texas Blackland Prairies East Central Texas Plains Ozark Highlands Central Irregular Plains Northwestern Great Plains Western Corn Belt Plains Interior River Valleys and Hills Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Ram's horn is an unusual annual wildflower that produces distinctive curved seed pods resembling a ram's horns. The plant bears trumpet-shaped flowers in summer followed by the characteristic ornamental pods that are prized for dried arrangements.

Growing Ram's Horn

Grow Ram's Horn in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 12 to 48 inches tall and spread 12 to 36 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Ram's Horn takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Unusual appearance may seem out of place
Can look sprawling and unkempt

Wildlife value

The flowers attract bees and butterflies during the summer blooming period. As an annual, it provides seasonal nectar resources for pollinators.

Common questions

How much light does Ram's Horn need?: Ram's Horn grows best in full sun and will also tolerate part sun conditions, though flowering may be reduced with less light.
When does Ram's Horn bloom?: Ram's Horn typically flowers from June through August, producing its distinctive curved seed pods after the blooms fade.
What pollinators visit Ram's Horn?: Bees and butterflies are the primary visitors to Ram's Horn flowers during its summer bloom period.
How much water does Ram's Horn need?: This plant does well with medium moisture and can tolerate drier, well drained soils once it is established.
What growth habit does Ram's Horn have?: Ram's Horn is a spreading annual forb with sprawling stems and sticky, hairy foliage, dying back completely at the end of the growing season.
Is Ram's Horn HOA-friendly?: Ram's Horn 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 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

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