Spiny Sida
Sida spinosa
Last reviewed: August 2026
Toxicity unknown
Spiny Sida (Sida spinosa) 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
12"–36" H × 6"–18" W
Bloom
Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
AZ, FL, LA, TX
Pollinators
bees, 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 445 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Spiny sida is a low-growing annual wildflower with small yellow blooms that appear throughout the summer months. This drought-tolerant plant thrives in sunny locations and requires minimal watering once established. Despite being native, it has a somewhat weedy appearance and can self-seed readily.
In an HOA neighborhood
Spiny Sida 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.
- Has spines that may be considered undesirable
- Weedy appearance typical of aggressive annual plants
- Tends to self-seed and spread unpredictably
Wildlife value
The small yellow flowers attract bees and beetles during the summer blooming period. As an annual, it provides seasonal nectar resources for pollinators from July through September.
Common questions
- How much sun does Spiny Sida need?
- Spiny Sida grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Spiny Sida bloom?
- Spiny Sida blooms in July, August, and September.
- Where is Spiny Sida native?
- Spiny Sida (Sida spinosa) is native to AZ, FL, LA, TX, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Spiny Sida attract?
- Spiny Sida draws bees and beetles.
- Is Spiny Sida HOA-friendly?
- Spiny Sida 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.
Ready to grow Spiny Sida? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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