When does Water Avens bloom?

Water Avens typically flowers from May through July, producing small nodding pink to purplish blooms on wiry stems.

What pollinates Water Avens?

Bees and beetles are the main visitors to Water Avens flowers, drawn to the nodding blooms during the late spring and summer bloom period.

What growing conditions does Water Avens prefer?

This forb does best in consistently moist to wet soil and part shade, often found along stream banks, wet meadows and the edges of woodlands.

Is Water Avens easy to grow in a home garden?

It grows well in rain gardens or damp shaded beds that mimic its natural wetland habitat, but it struggles in dry, sunny sites.

Is Water Avens toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Water Avens as toxic to livestock.

Is Water Avens HOA-friendly?

Water Avens is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

Water Avens

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Geum rivale

Last reviewed: September 2026

Water Avens is a cool-climate wetland forb with nodding pink to purplish-brown flowers blooming from May through July, thriving in moist meadows, stream edges and part shade across the Northeast, Great Lakes and Rocky Mountain regions.

Toxicity unknown

Water Avens (Geum rivale) 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.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Water Avens as toxic to livestock.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

12"–24" H × 12"–18" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

CO, IL, MA, MD and 17 more states

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 area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Northwestern Forested Mountains Southern Rockies Northern Forests Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains Eastern Corn Belt Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Allegheny Plateau Erie Drift Plain Ridge and Valley Central Appalachians Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands

Water avens is a charming native perennial that produces nodding, bell-shaped flowers in shades of pink, orange, or yellow from May through July. This compact plant forms neat clumps with attractive divided foliage and thrives in partial shade with consistent moisture.

Growing Water Avens

Grow Water Avens in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 12 to 24 inches tall and spread 12 to 18 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Water Avens is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, foundation, mid zone.

Wildlife value

The flowers attract native bees and beetles during the late spring and summer blooming period. The seeds provide food for small birds and wildlife.

Common questions

When does Water Avens bloom?: Water Avens typically flowers from May through July, producing small nodding pink to purplish blooms on wiry stems.
What pollinates Water Avens?: Bees and beetles are the main visitors to Water Avens flowers, drawn to the nodding blooms during the late spring and summer bloom period.
What growing conditions does Water Avens prefer?: This forb does best in consistently moist to wet soil and part shade, often found along stream banks, wet meadows and the edges of woodlands.
Is Water Avens easy to grow in a home garden?: It grows well in rain gardens or damp shaded beds that mimic its natural wetland habitat, but it struggles in dry, sunny sites.
Is Water Avens toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Water Avens as toxic to livestock.
Is Water Avens HOA-friendly?: Water Avens 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.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Water Avens? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden

iPhone app Android app

Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant

Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz