Swamp Doghobble
Leucothoe racemosa
Last reviewed: October 2026
Swamp Doghobble is toxic to dogs and cats.
Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 and your veterinarian's emergency line.
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.
Native swaps for a yard with pets
Swamp Doghobble is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. These natives fill a similar role in a planting and are not on the ASPCA toxic plant list for dogs or cats. Each plant's page carries its dated record.
Light
part shade
Water
high
Size
36"–72" H × 36"–72" W
Bloom
Apr, May
Native to
AL, CT, DE, FL and 14 more states
Pollinators
bees, moths
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 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaPicture natives in your own yard
Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Swamp Doghobble.
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Swamp doghobble is an evergreen shrub that forms dense, rounded clumps with glossy dark green leaves. It produces clusters of small white bell-shaped flowers in spring and thrives in moist, shaded areas where many other plants struggle.
In an HOA neighborhood
Swamp Doghobble takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Requires consistently moist soil which may be difficult to maintain
- Can appear leggy or unkempt without regular pruning
- Name includes 'swamp' which may concern HOAs about appearance
Wildlife value
The spring flowers attract bees and moths, providing nectar during an important early season period. The dense evergreen foliage offers year-round shelter for small birds and wildlife.
Common questions
- How much sun does Swamp Doghobble need?
- Swamp Doghobble grows best in part shade conditions.
- When does Swamp Doghobble bloom?
- Swamp Doghobble blooms in April and May.
- Where is Swamp Doghobble native?
- Swamp Doghobble (Leucothoe racemosa) is native to AL, CT, DE, FL and 14 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- Is Swamp Doghobble toxic to dogs?
- Yes. Swamp Doghobble is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- Is Swamp Doghobble toxic to cats?
- Yes. Swamp Doghobble is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- What pollinators does Swamp Doghobble attract?
- Swamp Doghobble draws bees and moths.
- Is Swamp Doghobble HOA-friendly?
- Swamp Doghobble 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 Swamp Doghobble and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.