How much sun does Slender blue iris need?

Slender blue iris grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Slender blue iris bloom?

Slender blue iris blooms in May and June.

Where is Slender blue iris native?

Slender blue iris (Iris prismatica) is native to AL, CT, DE, GA and 12 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Is Slender blue iris toxic to dogs?

Yes. Slender blue iris is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Slender blue iris toxic to cats?

Yes. Slender blue iris is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Slender blue iris

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Iris prismatica

Last reviewed: September 2026

Slender blue iris (Iris prismatica) is a perennial forb native to AL, CT, DE, GA and 12 more states. It blooms in May and June. The flowers draw bees.

Slender blue iris is toxic to dogs and cats.

Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-08-15). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 and your veterinarian's emergency line.

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.

Light

full sun

Water

high

Size

12"–24" H × 8"–12" W

Bloom

May, Jun

Native to

AL, CT, DE, GA and 12 more states

Pollinators

bees

Before you buy

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Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 458 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

Northeastern Coastal Zone Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

A slender, grass-leaved iris with narrow blue-green foliage and delicate blue-violet flowers marked with fine veining in late spring. It grows in tidy, upright clumps in wet meadows and marsh edges.

Growing Slender blue iris

Grow Slender blue iris in full sun and high water. Mature plants reach 12 to 24 inches tall and spread 8 to 12 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Its spring flowers provide nectar for native bees, and the grassy clumps offer cover in wet habitats used by amphibians.

Common questions

How much sun does Slender blue iris need?: Slender blue iris grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Slender blue iris bloom?: Slender blue iris blooms in May and June.
Where is Slender blue iris native?: Slender blue iris (Iris prismatica) is native to AL, CT, DE, GA and 12 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Slender blue iris toxic to dogs?: Yes. Slender blue iris is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Slender blue iris toxic to cats?: Yes. Slender blue iris is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
What pollinators does Slender blue iris attract?: Slender blue iris draws bees.

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.

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