How much sun does Western teaberry need?

Western teaberry grows best in part shade conditions.

When does Western teaberry bloom?

Western teaberry blooms in June and July.

Where is Western teaberry native?

Western teaberry (Gaultheria ovatifolia) is native to CA, ID, MT, OR and 1 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Western teaberry

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Gaultheria ovatifolia

Last reviewed: October 2026

Western teaberry (Gaultheria ovatifolia) is a perennial shrub native to CA, ID, MT, OR and 1 more states. It blooms in June and July. The flowers draw bees.

Toxicity unknown

Western teaberry (Gaultheria ovatifolia) 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

part shade

Water

medium

Size

3"–8" H × 12"–30" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul

Native to

CA, ID, MT, OR and 1 more states

Pollinators

bees

Before you buy

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Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada

Low, creeping evergreen groundcover with small glossy oval leaves and nodding, urn-shaped white to pale pink flowers in early summer, followed by red berries. Forms mats in moist coniferous forest understories.

Growing Western teaberry

Grow Western teaberry in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 3 to 8 inches tall and spread 12 to 30 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Berries are eaten by birds and small mammals, and the summer flowers provide nectar for bees.

Common questions

How much sun does Western teaberry need?: Western teaberry grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Western teaberry bloom?: Western teaberry blooms in June and July.
Where is Western teaberry native?: Western teaberry (Gaultheria ovatifolia) is native to CA, ID, MT, OR and 1 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Western teaberry attract?: Western teaberry draws bees.

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.

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