Wand goldenrod
Solidago stricta
Last reviewed: July 2026
Light
full sun
Water
high
Size
24"–48" H × 12"–18" W
Bloom
Sep, Oct, Nov
Native to
TX, LA, MS, AL and 2 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies, beetles
A slender, upright perennial forb with narrow, mostly basal leaves and a single elongated wand-like spike of small bright yellow flowers in fall. Prefers consistently moist, sandy or peaty soil and forms a narrow clump over time.
In an HOA neighborhood
Wand goldenrod is an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement. Maintenance level: moderate. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.
Works well in: mid zone, backyard only.
- Often mistaken for ragweed and blamed for allergies despite being insect-pollinated, not wind-pollinated
- Requires consistently moist soil, limiting placement to low or irrigated spots
Wildlife value
Host plant for Goldenrod hooded owlet moth.
Fall flowers provide an important late-season nectar source for bees and migrating butterflies, and the foliage hosts several moth species.
Common questions
- How much sun does Wand goldenrod need?
- Wand goldenrod grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Wand goldenrod bloom?
- Wand goldenrod blooms in September, October, and November.
- Where is Wand goldenrod native?
- Wand goldenrod (Solidago stricta) is native to TX, LA, MS, AL and 2 more states, per the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists.
- What butterflies or moths does Wand goldenrod host?
- Wand goldenrod is a larval host plant for Goldenrod hooded owlet moth.
- Is Wand goldenrod HOA-friendly?
- Wand goldenrod is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Does Wand goldenrod fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.