Vinegar-weed
Trichostema lanceolatum
Last reviewed: August 2026
Toxicity unknown
Vinegar-weed (Trichostema lanceolatum) 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"–18" W
Bloom
Aug, Sep, Oct
Native to
CA, OR
Pollinators
bees
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
Vinegar weed is an upright annual forb with narrow leaves that release a strong vinegar-like odor when crushed, topped by spikes of curved blue flowers with long protruding stamens. It grows in dry open ground and disturbed sites.
Wildlife value
The late-season blue flowers are heavily visited by bees, providing a notable nectar source after many other summer annuals have finished blooming.
Common questions
- How much sun does Vinegar-weed need?
- Vinegar-weed grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Vinegar-weed bloom?
- Vinegar-weed blooms in August, September, and October.
- Where is Vinegar-weed native?
- Vinegar-weed (Trichostema lanceolatum) is native to CA, OR, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Vinegar-weed attract?
- Vinegar-weed draws bees.
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 Vinegar-weed? 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