Snow Squarestem
Melanthera nivea
Last reviewed: August 2026
Melanthera nivea, or snow squarestem, is a bushy forb with clusters of small white flowers blooming June through October in full sun and medium moisture sites across the Gulf Coast and Southeast.
Toxicity unknown
Snow Squarestem (Melanthera nivea) 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
medium
Size
12"–36" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Native to
AL, FL, GA, IL and 4 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 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
Snow squarestem is a compact native perennial that produces small white daisy-like flowers from summer through fall. This well-behaved plant maintains a tidy, bushy form and provides long-lasting blooms in sunny locations with average moisture.
Growing Snow Squarestem
Grow Snow Squarestem in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Snow Squarestem is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
- Goes dormant in winter leaving bare stems
Wildlife value
The extended bloom period attracts a diverse range of pollinators including native bees, butterflies, and beneficial beetles. Its flowers provide nectar from midsummer through the first frost.
Common questions
- When does Melanthera nivea bloom?
- Snow squarestem typically flowers from June through October, with the heaviest bloom during the warmer summer months.
- What growing conditions suit Melanthera nivea best?
- It does best in full sun with medium moisture, though it can handle brief dry spells and periodic wet conditions along ditches and low ground.
- What pollinators visit Melanthera nivea?
- The small white flower clusters draw bees, butterflies, and beetles throughout the blooming season.
- What kind of plant is Melanthera nivea?
- It is a bushy, herbaceous forb with distinctly squared stems, which is where the common name squarestem comes from.
- Is Snow Squarestem HOA-friendly?
- Snow Squarestem is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low 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 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
Ready to grow Snow Squarestem? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz