Whorled Loosestrife
Lysimachia quadrifolia
Last reviewed: August 2026
Whorled Loosestrife is a woodland forb that blooms with small yellow flowers from June through August. It grows in part shade with medium moisture, often along forest edges and clearings in the eastern United States.
Toxicity unknown
Whorled Loosestrife (Lysimachia quadrifolia) 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
12"–36" H × 6"–18" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
AL, CT, DE, GA and 22 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 areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
Whorled loosestrife is a native perennial with distinctive leaves arranged in neat whorls around upright stems. Small yellow flowers appear in summer, creating a delicate display above the orderly foliage. This woodland plant spreads slowly to form loose colonies in shaded areas.
Growing Whorled Loosestrife
Grow Whorled Loosestrife in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 inches tall and spread 6 to 18 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Whorled Loosestrife is an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.
Works well in: mid zone, backyard only.
- Can look sparse or weedy in prime locations
- Dies back completely in winter
- May spread beyond intended boundaries
Wildlife value
The summer blooms attract native bees and beetles. Birds may also visit for seeds later in the season.
Common questions
- When does Whorled Loosestrife bloom?
- Whorled Loosestrife typically flowers from June through August, producing small star shaped yellow blooms arranged in whorls along the stem.
- What growing conditions does Whorled Loosestrife prefer?
- It does best in part shade with medium, consistent soil moisture, similar to conditions found at woodland edges and in open deciduous forests.
- What pollinators visit Whorled Loosestrife?
- Bees and beetles are the main visitors to Whorled Loosestrife flowers, drawn to the oil producing glands rather than nectar.
- Is Whorled Loosestrife a woody plant?
- No. It is a herbaceous forb that dies back to the ground each year rather than developing woody stems.
- Is Whorled Loosestrife HOA-friendly?
- Whorled Loosestrife 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 vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. 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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Whorled Loosestrife? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz