Villous Cinquefoil
Potentilla villosa
Last reviewed: June 2026
Villous Cinquefoil (Potentilla villosa) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org (opens in new tab), last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
2"–8" H × 4"–12" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
OR, WA
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.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
Potentilla villosa is a low-growing native wildflower that forms compact mats of small, silvery-green leaves. It produces cheerful yellow flowers throughout the summer months and thrives in sunny, dry conditions with minimal water once established.
In an HOA neighborhood
Villous Cinquefoil 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.
- Very small stature may appear sparse in formal landscapes
- Unknown dormancy appearance could look untidy
- May be perceived as too wild or weedy for front yard use
Wildlife value
This plant attracts native bees and beneficial beetles during its long summer bloom period. Its low growth habit provides ground-level habitat for small beneficial insects.
Common questions
- How much sun does Villous Cinquefoil need?
- Villous Cinquefoil grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Villous Cinquefoil bloom?
- Villous Cinquefoil blooms in June, July, and August.
- Where is Villous Cinquefoil native?
- Villous Cinquefoil (Potentilla villosa) is native to OR, WA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- Is Villous Cinquefoil toxic to dogs?
- Villous Cinquefoil is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
- Is Villous Cinquefoil toxic to cats?
- Villous Cinquefoil is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
- What pollinators does Villous Cinquefoil attract?
- Villous Cinquefoil draws bees and beetles.
- Is Villous Cinquefoil HOA-friendly?
- Villous Cinquefoil 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 vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. 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 Villous Cinquefoil? 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