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Rugel's Plantain

Plantago rugelii

Last reviewed: August 2026

Rugel's Plantain (Plantago rugelii)
Photo: (c) Melissa McMasters, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Toxicity unknown

Rugel's Plantain (Plantago rugelii) 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

6"–24" H × 4"–12" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 34 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 459 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 Great PlainsGreat PlainsCross TimbersSouth Central PlainsEastern Temperate ForestsOzark HighlandsCentral Irregular PlainsPiedmontNorthern Glaciated PlainsWestern Corn Belt PlainsNorthern Lakes and ForestsNorth Central Hardwood ForestsDriftless AreaSoutheastern Wisconsin Till PlainsCentral Corn Belt PlainsEastern Corn Belt PlainsSouthern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift PlainsHuron/Erie Lake PlainsNortheastern HighlandsNortheastern Coastal ZoneNorthern Allegheny PlateauErie Drift PlainNorthern ForestsMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsBlue RidgeRidge and ValleyCentral AppalachiansWestern Allegheny PlateauInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsMississippi Alluvial PlainMississippi Valley Loess PlainsAcadian Plains and HillsEastern Great Lakes LowlandsAtlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Rugel's plantain is a low-growing native perennial with broad, ribbed leaves that form a basal rosette. It produces tall, slender flower spikes from late spring through summer that attract various pollinators.

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In an HOA neighborhood

Rugel's Plantain 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.

  • Commonly considered a lawn weed
  • Flower spikes can appear scraggly
  • May spread aggressively in turf areas

Wildlife value

The flowers provide nectar for bees and beetles, while the seeds feed birds and small mammals.

Common questions

How much sun does Rugel's Plantain need?
Rugel's Plantain grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Rugel's Plantain bloom?
Rugel's Plantain blooms in May, June, and July.
Where is Rugel's Plantain native?
Rugel's Plantain (Plantago rugelii) is native to AL, AR, CT, DE and 34 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Rugel's Plantain attract?
Rugel's Plantain draws bees and beetles.
Is Rugel's Plantain HOA-friendly?
Rugel's Plantain 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.

See all plant problem guides

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