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.

Spiny Sida

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Sida spinosa

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

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Central Great Plains Cross Timbers Texas Blackland Prairies East Central Texas Plains Western Gulf Coastal Plain South Central Plains Southeastern Plains Mississippi Alluvial Plain Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Southern Coastal Plain

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.

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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