Rattlesnake-weed
Daucus pusillus
Last reviewed: August 2026
Daucus pusillus, or rattlesnake-weed, is a low-water annual forb with small white flower clusters that bloom from May through August in dry, sunny sites such as grasslands, roadsides, and sandy or disturbed soils.
Toxicity unknown
Rattlesnake-weed (Daucus pusillus) 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
4"–16" H × 2"–8" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
AL, AR, AZ, CA and 19 more states
Pollinators
bees, beetles, wasps, flies
Before you buy
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Rattlesnake-weed is a small annual wildflower that produces delicate white flower clusters resembling tiny Queen Anne's lace from late spring through summer. This compact native reaches only 4-16 inches tall and thrives in sunny, dry conditions with minimal care.
Growing Rattlesnake-weed
Grow Rattlesnake-weed in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 4 to 16 inches tall and spread 2 to 8 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Rattlesnake-weed 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.
- Name includes 'weed' which raises HOA concerns
- Small size and informal appearance can look unintentional
- Annual nature means gaps when plants die back
Wildlife value
The small white flowers attract a diverse array of beneficial insects including native bees, beetles, wasps, and flies throughout the long blooming season.
Common questions
- How much sun and water does rattlesnake-weed need?
- Daucus pusillus grows best in full sun and needs very little supplemental water once established, thriving in dry, well-drained soils.
- When does Daucus pusillus flower?
- It blooms from May through August, producing small clusters of white flowers on slender, branching stems typical of the carrot family.
- What insects visit the flowers of rattlesnake-weed?
- The small umbel flowers of Daucus pusillus attract bees, beetles, wasps, and flies, which feed on pollen and nectar during the summer bloom period.
- What kind of plant is rattlesnake-weed?
- Daucus pusillus is a slender annual or biennial forb in the carrot family, growing low to the ground with finely divided, fern-like leaves.
- Is Rattlesnake-weed HOA-friendly?
- Rattlesnake-weed 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
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 Rattlesnake-weed? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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