When does Madia elegans bloom?

Madia elegans typically flowers from May through August, with blooms often opening in the late afternoon and evening in dry, open sites.

What pollinators visit Madia elegans?

Bees and butterflies are the main visitors to Madia elegans, drawn to its yellow ray flowers during the summer bloom period.

What growing conditions does Madia elegans need?

This forb does best in full sun with low water once established, tolerating dry, sandy or gravelly soils typical of open slopes and grasslands.

Is Madia elegans easy to grow in a home garden?

It grows readily from seed in a sunny, well-drained spot and needs little irrigation, making it a low-maintenance choice for dry summer climates.

Is Showy Tarweed HOA-friendly?

Showy Tarweed is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.

Showy Tarweed

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Madia elegans

Last reviewed: September 2026

Madia elegans is a sticky, aromatic annual forb found on dry slopes and grasslands from California north through Oregon and Washington, blooming May through August with yellow daisy-like flowers in full sun and low water.

Showy Tarweed (Madia elegans) 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"–36" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

CA, NV, OR, WA

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Madia elegans (Common Madia or Elegant Tarweed) is a showy annual wildflower with bright yellow daisy-like blooms that open in the evening and close by midday. The plant grows in an upright form with slender stems and produces flowers from late spring through summer.

Growing Showy Tarweed

Grow Showy Tarweed in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Showy Tarweed is an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement. Maintenance level: moderate. Tidiness: 2 out of 5.

Works well in: mid zone, backyard only.

Plant becomes sticky with resinous glands that have a strong odor
Can look untidy after blooming
May self-seed aggressively in garden settings

Wildlife value

Common Madia is highly attractive to native bees and butterflies, providing important nectar and pollen resources during summer months when other plants may not be blooming.

Common questions

When does Madia elegans bloom?: Madia elegans typically flowers from May through August, with blooms often opening in the late afternoon and evening in dry, open sites.
What pollinators visit Madia elegans?: Bees and butterflies are the main visitors to Madia elegans, drawn to its yellow ray flowers during the summer bloom period.
What growing conditions does Madia elegans need?: This forb does best in full sun with low water once established, tolerating dry, sandy or gravelly soils typical of open slopes and grasslands.
Is Madia elegans easy to grow in a home garden?: It grows readily from seed in a sunny, well-drained spot and needs little irrigation, making it a low-maintenance choice for dry summer climates.
Is Showy Tarweed toxic to dogs?: Showy Tarweed is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
Is Showy Tarweed toxic to cats?: Showy Tarweed is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
Is Showy Tarweed HOA-friendly?: Showy Tarweed is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.

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.

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