How much sun does Red Inkplant need?

Red Inkplant grows best in part sun conditions.

When does Red Inkplant bloom?

Red Inkplant blooms in June, July, August, and September.

What pollinators does Red Inkplant attract?

Red Inkplant draws bees and butterflies.

Is Red Inkplant HOA-friendly?

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

Red Inkplant

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Phytolacca icosandra

Last reviewed: September 2026

Toxicity unknown

Red Inkplant (Phytolacca icosandra) 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

part sun

Water

medium

Size

12"–48" H × 12"–36" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Native alternatives to Red Inkplant

Red Inkplant is not native to the United States. These natives fill a similar role in a planting, matched on bloom season, bloom color and mature size.

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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Red inkplant is a native perennial forb that grows 1-4 feet tall with attractive foliage and flowers from summer through fall. It prefers partial sun locations with moderate water and provides good seasonal color in desert gardens.

In an HOA neighborhood

Red Inkplant 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.

Can appear weedy or unstructured
May die back seasonally creating bare spots
Not commonly recognized as ornamental landscaping

Wildlife value

This plant attracts both bees and butterflies during its extended blooming period from June through September, making it valuable for pollinator gardens.

Common questions

How much sun does Red Inkplant need?: Red Inkplant grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Red Inkplant bloom?: Red Inkplant blooms in June, July, August, and September.
What pollinators does Red Inkplant attract?: Red Inkplant draws bees and butterflies.
Is Red Inkplant HOA-friendly?: Red Inkplant takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

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.

See all plant problem guides

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