Wand goldenrod
Solidago stricta
Last reviewed: August 2026
Wand goldenrod is a slender perennial forb that blooms from September through November, producing narrow spikes of small yellow flowers in wet pine flatwoods and boggy, sunny sites across the southeastern coastal plain.
Toxicity unknown
Wand goldenrod (Solidago stricta) 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
high
Size
24"–48" H × 12"–18" W
Bloom
Sep, Oct, Nov
Native to
AL, DE, FL, GA and 6 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies, beetles
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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.
Growing Wand goldenrod
Grow Wand goldenrod in full sun and high water. Mature plants reach 24 to 48 inches tall and spread 12 to 18 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
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
- When does wand goldenrod bloom?
- Wand goldenrod typically flowers from September into November, with slender wand-like spikes of small yellow blooms appearing at the end of the growing season.
- What kind of light does wand goldenrod need?
- It grows best in full sun but can tolerate part sun, especially at the edges of open wetlands and pinelands where it is commonly found.
- How much water does wand goldenrod need?
- This plant prefers consistently moist to wet soil and is often found in low pine flatwoods, seepage slopes, and boggy ground, though it can handle medium moisture as well.
- What pollinators visit wand goldenrod?
- Bees, butterflies, and beetles regularly visit its late-season flowers for nectar and pollen, making it a useful late fall food source for pollinators.
- Where does wand goldenrod grow well?
- It thrives in open, sunny, moist habitats such as pine savannas, flatwoods, and bog margins found throughout the southeastern coastal plain climate zone.
- Is Wand goldenrod HOA-friendly?
- Wand goldenrod is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate 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.
Ready to grow Wand goldenrod? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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