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Sundrops

Oenothera berlandieri

Last reviewed: October 2026

Sundrops (Oenothera berlandieri)
Photo: Tortie tude / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

Toxicity unknown

Sundrops (Oenothera berlandieri) 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"–24" H × 12"–12" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AR, AZ, CO, IA and 10 more states

Pollinators

butterflies, bees, nectar insects

Before you buy

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Chihuahuan DesertsHigh PlainsSouthwestern TablelandsCentral Great PlainsCross TimbersEdwards PlateauSouthern Texas PlainsTexas Blackland PrairiesEast Central Texas PlainsWestern Gulf Coastal Plain

Sundrops produces cheerful bright yellow, cup-shaped flowers from spring through fall on a compact, low-growing plant. This hardy native perennial spreads slowly to form attractive groundcover patches and requires minimal water once established.

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How to care for Sundrops, by region

How to care for Sundrops where it is actually grown: year-round basics plus what to do each season, region by region, with the sources for each.

Care guidance last updated: October 2026

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Texas Blackland Prairies (includes Dallas, TX)

Year-round

Berlandier sundrops is a low yellow-flowered perennial that wants full sun and good drainage.

  • Plant in full sun.
  • It grows in a variety of well drained soils including clay, sand, and loam.
  • Water needs are low, but good drainage is needed to avoid root rot.
  • It reaches 1 to 2 feet tall and about 1 foot wide.
  • It is semi-evergreen and short-lived.

Fall

Fall is seed-sowing time for sundrops.

  • Sow fresh seed outdoors in fall if you want more plants.
  • Birds eat the seeds.
  • Blooms may still appear through September.

Winter

Sundrops is semi-evergreen, so some foliage may stay.

  • It is semi-evergreen.
  • Avoid soggy soil to prevent root rot.
  • Plants are short-lived, so letting seed fall can keep it going.

Spring

Spring is when sundrops starts blooming.

  • Bright yellow flowers open from March through September.
  • Stem cuttings can be taken from new growth in early spring.
  • Keep drainage good.

Summer

Sundrops tolerates summer heat and drought.

  • It tolerates drought and heat.
  • It likes moist soil with good drainage to avoid root rot.
  • Bees and butterflies use the nectar and pollen.

Sources: NPSOT Native Plant Database: Oenothera berlandieri

In an HOA neighborhood

Sundrops is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.

Wildlife value

The long blooming season provides nectar for butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects from March through November. Evening-blooming flowers are particularly attractive to moths and other nocturnal pollinators.

Common questions

How much sun does Sundrops need?
Sundrops grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Sundrops bloom?
Sundrops blooms in March, April, May, June, July, August, and September.
Where is Sundrops native?
Sundrops (Oenothera berlandieri) is native to AR, AZ, CO, IA and 10 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Sundrops attract?
Sundrops draws butterflies, bees, and nectar insects.
Is Sundrops HOA-friendly?
Sundrops is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

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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