Salad Burnet
Poterium sanguisorba
Last reviewed: October 2026
Salad Burnet (Poterium sanguisorba) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org (opens in new tab), last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
12"–24" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul
Pollinators
bees, beetles
Native alternatives to Salad Burnet
Salad Burnet 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 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaPicture natives in your own yard
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Salad burnet is a compact perennial herb with attractive, finely divided blue-green foliage that forms neat, rounded clumps. It produces small, globe-shaped flowers in late spring and early summer, followed by interesting seed heads. The leaves have a mild cucumber flavor and can be used in cooking.
In an HOA neighborhood
Salad Burnet 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: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
Wildlife value
The small flowers attract bees and beneficial beetles during the blooming period. The compact growth habit provides shelter for small beneficial insects.
Common questions
- How much sun does Salad Burnet need?
- Salad Burnet grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Salad Burnet bloom?
- Salad Burnet blooms in May, June, and July.
- Is Salad Burnet toxic to dogs?
- Salad Burnet is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
- Is Salad Burnet toxic to cats?
- Salad Burnet is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
- What pollinators does Salad Burnet attract?
- Salad Burnet draws bees and beetles.
- Is Salad Burnet HOA-friendly?
- Salad Burnet 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.
- 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 Salad Burnet? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.