How much light and water does Virginia pine need?

Virginia pine grows best in full sun and can tolerate part sun, but it does poorly in shaded conditions. Once established, it handles low to medium water and is quite drought tolerant, often thriving on dry, rocky, or eroded soils where other conifers struggle.

When does Virginia pine produce its cones?

Like other pines, Virginia pine is wind pollinated rather than insect pollinated. Small yellowish pollen cones typically appear in April, with seed cones maturing over the following growing season.

Does Virginia pine attract pollinators?

No specific pollinators are associated with Virginia pine because it is a conifer that relies on wind for pollen dispersal rather than insects or animals.

What kind of habitat does Virginia pine grow in?

This species is commonly found on dry ridges, abandoned fields, and poor or eroded soils, often forming dense stands as an early successional tree after disturbance or logging.

Is Scrub Pine toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Scrub Pine as toxic to livestock.

Is Scrub Pine HOA-friendly?

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

Scrub Pine

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Pinus virginiana

Last reviewed: September 2026

Pinus virginiana, or Virginia pine, is a hardy evergreen conifer that grows best in full sun on dry, rocky, or sandy soils across the eastern and southeastern United States. It tolerates low water and poor soils once established.

Toxicity unknown

Scrub Pine (Pinus virginiana) 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.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Scrub Pine as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

240"–480" H × 120"–300" W

Bloom

N/A

Native to

AL, DE, GA, IN and 12 more states

Before you buy

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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

Piedmont Eastern Corn Belt Plains Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Forests Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Eastern Temperate Forests Central Appalachians Western Allegheny Plateau Interior Plateau Interior River Valleys and Hills Southern Coastal Plain Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Scrub pine is a fast-growing native evergreen that develops an open, irregular crown with age. This hardy tree thrives in poor soils and drought conditions, making it excellent for challenging sites where other trees struggle.

Growing Scrub Pine

Grow Scrub Pine in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 240 to 480 inches tall and spread 120 to 300 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Scrub Pine 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.

Naturally scraggly appearance looks unkempt
Name includes 'scrub' which suggests weedy character
Irregular branching pattern lacks formal landscape appeal

Wildlife value

Host plant for Pine Webworm Moth, Pine Sphinx.

Provides important habitat and nesting sites for birds, while the seeds feed wildlife including squirrels and various bird species.

Common questions

How much light and water does Virginia pine need?: Virginia pine grows best in full sun and can tolerate part sun, but it does poorly in shaded conditions. Once established, it handles low to medium water and is quite drought tolerant, often thriving on dry, rocky, or eroded soils where other conifers struggle.
When does Virginia pine produce its cones?: Like other pines, Virginia pine is wind pollinated rather than insect pollinated. Small yellowish pollen cones typically appear in April, with seed cones maturing over the following growing season.
Does Virginia pine attract pollinators?: No specific pollinators are associated with Virginia pine because it is a conifer that relies on wind for pollen dispersal rather than insects or animals.
What kind of habitat does Virginia pine grow in?: This species is commonly found on dry ridges, abandoned fields, and poor or eroded soils, often forming dense stands as an early successional tree after disturbance or logging.
Is Scrub Pine toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Scrub Pine as toxic to livestock.
Is Scrub Pine HOA-friendly?: Scrub Pine 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 vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. 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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