How much sun does Yellow Nodding Lady's Tresses need?

Yellow Nodding Lady's Tresses grows best in part sun conditions.

When does Yellow Nodding Lady's Tresses bloom?

Yellow Nodding Lady's Tresses blooms in July, August, and September.

Where is Yellow Nodding Lady's Tresses native?

Yellow Nodding Lady's Tresses (Spiranthes ochroleuca) is native to CT, IN, KY, MA and 15 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What pollinators does Yellow Nodding Lady's Tresses attract?

Yellow Nodding Lady's Tresses draws bees and moths.

Is Yellow Nodding Lady's Tresses HOA-friendly?

Yellow Nodding Lady's Tresses takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Yellow Nodding Lady's Tresses

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Spiranthes ochroleuca

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Yellow Nodding Lady's Tresses (Spiranthes ochroleuca) 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

6"–18" H × 2"–6" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

CT, IN, KY, MA and 15 more states

Pollinators

bees, moths

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

Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Allegheny Plateau Erie Drift Plain Northern Forests Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Central Appalachians Western Allegheny Plateau Acadian Plains and Hills

Yellow nodding lady's tresses is a delicate native orchid that produces slender spikes of small, cream-colored flowers arranged in a distinctive spiral pattern. The plant forms narrow clumps and blooms from July through September, going dormant in winter. It prefers partial sun and average moisture conditions.

In an HOA neighborhood

Yellow Nodding Lady's Tresses 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.

Very small size makes it nearly invisible in landscape
Goes completely dormant and disappears for months
Orchid appearance may seem too wild or weedy for formal settings

Wildlife value

This native orchid attracts bees and moths during its summer blooming period. Its specialized flowers provide nectar for pollinators seeking late-season food sources.

Common questions

How much sun does Yellow Nodding Lady's Tresses need?: Yellow Nodding Lady's Tresses grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Yellow Nodding Lady's Tresses bloom?: Yellow Nodding Lady's Tresses blooms in July, August, and September.
Where is Yellow Nodding Lady's Tresses native?: Yellow Nodding Lady's Tresses (Spiranthes ochroleuca) is native to CT, IN, KY, MA and 15 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Yellow Nodding Lady's Tresses attract?: Yellow Nodding Lady's Tresses draws bees and moths.
Is Yellow Nodding Lady's Tresses HOA-friendly?: Yellow Nodding Lady's Tresses 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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