Thimbleweed
Anemone virginiana
Last reviewed: August 2026
Anemone virginiana, or thimbleweed, is a part sun forb that blooms greenish white flowers from June through August. It grows well in medium to dry soil along woodland edges, meadows, and open fields.
Toxicity unknown
Thimbleweed (Anemone virginiana) 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
part sun
Water
medium
Size
12"–36" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
AL, AR, CO, CT and 33 more states
Pollinators
bees, beetles
Deer
Resistant (per Prairie Moon Nursery)
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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Thimbleweed is a native wildflower that produces small white flowers in summer followed by distinctive thimble-shaped seed heads. This perennial grows in clumps and spreads slowly by underground rhizomes, making it useful for naturalizing in partly shaded areas.
Growing Thimbleweed
Grow Thimbleweed in part 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
Thimbleweed is an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 2 out of 5.
Works well in: mid zone, backyard only.
- Can look weedy when dormant
- May spread beyond intended areas
- Informal wildflower appearance
Wildlife value
The flowers attract native bees and beetles during the summer blooming period. The seed heads provide food for small birds and add winter interest to the garden.
Common questions
- When does thimbleweed bloom?
- Anemone virginiana typically flowers from June through August, with the small greenish white blooms giving way to distinctive thimble shaped seed heads later in the season.
- What insects visit thimbleweed flowers?
- Bees and beetles are the main visitors to Anemone virginiana flowers, drawn to the pollen since the blooms produce no nectar.
- What growing conditions does thimbleweed need?
- It does best in part sun with medium moisture and well drained soil, and it tolerates drier conditions once established, making it a good fit for open woodlands, meadows, and prairie edges.
- How is thimbleweed used in a garden setting?
- Gardeners often place it in naturalized borders or pollinator plantings where its summer flowers and upright seed heads add texture through late summer and fall.
- Is Thimbleweed HOA-friendly?
- Thimbleweed 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 Thimbleweed? 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