When does white camas bloom?

White camas generally flowers from May through July, sending up a spike of small greenish white blossoms.

What pollinators visit white camas?

Bees and beetles are the main insects observed visiting the flowers of white camas.

What growing conditions suit white camas best?

White camas does well in part sun with medium soil moisture, and it is often found in open meadows, prairies, and lightly wooded slopes.

Does white camas stay green year round?

No, white camas is an herbaceous perennial that dies back to the ground after the growing season and regrows from its base each spring.

Is White Camas HOA-friendly?

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

White Camas

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Zigadenus elegans

Last reviewed: September 2026

White camas is a perennial forb that blooms from May through July with spikes of pale greenish white flowers. It grows in part sun with medium moisture in meadows, open woods, and rocky slopes across a wide range of climates.

Toxicity unknown

White Camas (Zigadenus elegans) 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 sun

Water

medium

Size

12"–24" H × 4"–8" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, IA and 29 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.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Northwestern Forested Mountains Central Basin and Range North American Deserts Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Northwestern Glaciated Plains Northwestern Great Plains Northern Glaciated Plains Western Corn Belt Plains Great Plains Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Driftless Area

White camas produces tall spikes of creamy white flowers from late spring through summer above narrow, grass-like foliage. This native perennial grows in compact clumps and goes dormant in winter, returning reliably each spring.

Growing White Camas

Grow White Camas in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 12 to 24 inches tall and spread 4 to 8 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

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

Works well in: backyard only.

Extremely toxic to humans and pets if ingested
Dies back completely in winter leaving bare spots
Uncommon plant that may not be recognized as intentional landscaping

Wildlife value

The flowers attract bees and beetles during the long blooming period from May through July. The nectar-rich blooms provide important food sources for native pollinators.

Common questions

When does white camas bloom?: White camas generally flowers from May through July, sending up a spike of small greenish white blossoms.
What pollinators visit white camas?: Bees and beetles are the main insects observed visiting the flowers of white camas.
What growing conditions suit white camas best?: White camas does well in part sun with medium soil moisture, and it is often found in open meadows, prairies, and lightly wooded slopes.
Does white camas stay green year round?: No, white camas is an herbaceous perennial that dies back to the ground after the growing season and regrows from its base each spring.
Is White Camas HOA-friendly?: White Camas takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

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

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