How much sun does Small's Ragwort need?

Small's Ragwort grows best in part sun conditions.

When does Small's Ragwort bloom?

Small's Ragwort blooms in March, April, and May.

Where is Small's Ragwort native?

Small's Ragwort (Packera anonyma) is native to AL, AR, CT, FL and 13 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Is Small's Ragwort toxic to dogs?

Yes. Small's Ragwort is listed as toxic to dogs by the NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Small's Ragwort toxic to cats?

Yes. Small's Ragwort is listed as toxic to cats by the NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

What pollinators does Small's Ragwort attract?

Small's Ragwort draws bees, butterflies, and beetles.

Is Small's Ragwort HOA-friendly?

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

Small's Ragwort

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Packera anonyma

Last reviewed: August 2026

Small's Ragwort is toxic to dogs and cats.

Listed as toxic by the NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-08-20). 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.

Native swaps for a yard with pets

Small's Ragwort is listed as toxic to dogs by the NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. These natives fill a similar role in a planting and are not on the ASPCA toxic plant list for dogs or cats. Each plant's page carries its dated record.

Light

part sun

Water

medium

Size

6"–24" H × 6"–12" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

AL, AR, CT, FL and 13 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, beetles

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 area

Picture natives in your own yard

Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Small's Ragwort.

Try it with your yard

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Piedmont Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Eastern Temperate Forests Central Appalachians Western Allegheny Plateau Interior Plateau Southern Coastal Plain

Small's ragwort is a low-growing native wildflower that produces cheerful yellow daisy-like blooms from March through May. This compact perennial works well as groundcover or in mixed plantings, typically staying under 2 feet tall with a neat, clumping growth habit.

In an HOA neighborhood

Small's Ragwort 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.

Common name contains 'ragwort' which sounds weedy
May look sparse or untidy when not in bloom
Unknown leaf retention creates uncertainty about year-round appearance

Wildlife value

The bright yellow flowers attract bees, butterflies, and beetles during spring bloom season. This native plant provides important early-season nectar when few other flowers are available.

Common questions

How much sun does Small's Ragwort need?: Small's Ragwort grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Small's Ragwort bloom?: Small's Ragwort blooms in March, April, and May.
Where is Small's Ragwort native?: Small's Ragwort (Packera anonyma) is native to AL, AR, CT, FL and 13 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Small's Ragwort toxic to dogs?: Yes. Small's Ragwort is listed as toxic to dogs by the NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Small's Ragwort toxic to cats?: Yes. Small's Ragwort is listed as toxic to cats by the NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
What pollinators does Small's Ragwort attract?: Small's Ragwort draws bees, butterflies, and beetles.
Is Small's Ragwort HOA-friendly?: Small's Ragwort 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 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.

See all plant problem guides

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants like Small's Ragwort and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.

Find pet-safe natives

iPhone app Android app