How much sun does Water-blinks need?

Water-blinks grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Water-blinks bloom?

Water-blinks blooms in April, May, and June.

Where is Water-blinks native?

Water-blinks (Montia fontana) is native to CA, ID, MA, ME and 9 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What pollinators does Water-blinks attract?

Water-blinks draws bees and flies.

Is Water-blinks HOA-friendly?

Water-blinks takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Water-blinks

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Montia fontana

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Water-blinks (Montia fontana) 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

2"–8" H × 2"–6" W

Bloom

Apr, May, Jun

Native to

CA, ID, MA, ME and 9 more states

Pollinators

bees, flies

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

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Water-blinks is a tiny annual groundcover that forms low mats of small, succulent-like leaves. It produces clusters of minute white flowers from April through June and thrives in consistently moist to wet conditions.

In an HOA neighborhood

Water-blinks takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Extremely small size makes it appear sparse or patchy
Annual lifecycle creates gaps when plants die back
Requires consistently wet soil conditions unusual for typical landscaping

Wildlife value

The small flowers attract bees and flies during spring and early summer blooming period.

Common questions

How much sun does Water-blinks need?: Water-blinks grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Water-blinks bloom?: Water-blinks blooms in April, May, and June.
Where is Water-blinks native?: Water-blinks (Montia fontana) is native to CA, ID, MA, ME and 9 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Water-blinks attract?: Water-blinks draws bees and flies.
Is Water-blinks HOA-friendly?: Water-blinks 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 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

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