Small's Ragwort
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) 426-4435and your veterinarian's emergency line.
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.
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
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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 (aspca.org). 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 (aspca.org). 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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants like Small's Ragwort and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.
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