How much sun does Small Wirelettuce need?

Small Wirelettuce grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Small Wirelettuce bloom?

Small Wirelettuce blooms in June, July, August, September, and October.

Where is Small Wirelettuce native?

Small Wirelettuce (Stephanomeria exigua) is native to AZ, CA, CO, ID and 7 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What pollinators does Small Wirelettuce attract?

Small Wirelettuce draws bees and butterflies.

Is Small Wirelettuce HOA-friendly?

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

Small Wirelettuce

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Stephanomeria exigua

Last reviewed: September 2026

Toxicity unknown

Small Wirelettuce (Stephanomeria exigua) 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

low

Size

6"–24" H × 4"–12" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, ID and 7 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

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 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains Northwestern Forested Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Chihuahuan Deserts Madrean Archipelago Sonoran Basin and Range Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Small wirelettuce is a delicate annual wildflower with thin, wiry stems and small pink or white daisy-like blooms. It produces flowers from summer through fall, creating an airy, fine-textured appearance in the garden. This drought-tolerant native thrives in full sun with minimal water once established.

In an HOA neighborhood

Small Wirelettuce 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.

Very informal appearance resembles weeds
Annual lifecycle creates gaps in plantings
Thin stems and sparse foliage look unkempt

Wildlife value

The long blooming season provides nectar for bees and butterflies from summer into fall. As a native annual, it also produces seeds that benefit birds and small wildlife.

Common questions

How much sun does Small Wirelettuce need?: Small Wirelettuce grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Small Wirelettuce bloom?: Small Wirelettuce blooms in June, July, August, September, and October.
Where is Small Wirelettuce native?: Small Wirelettuce (Stephanomeria exigua) is native to AZ, CA, CO, ID and 7 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Small Wirelettuce attract?: Small Wirelettuce draws bees and butterflies.
Is Small Wirelettuce HOA-friendly?: Small Wirelettuce 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 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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