Sneezeweed is a vibrant and essential late-season wildflower that lights up the autumn landscape with a profusion of golden-yellow blooms. Despite its unfortunate common name—derived from the historical use of its dried leaves to make snuff—it is not a cause of hay fever, as its heavy pollen is moved by insects rather than the wind. This upright perennial typically grows 3 to 5 feet tall and features unique winged stems and daisy-like flowers with distinctive, wedge-shaped petals that are notched at the tips. Native to moist prairies and stream banks across North America, it thrives in full sun and wet to medium-wet soils. Sneezeweed is a pollinator powerhouse, providing a critical nectar source for bees and butterflies during the late summer and fall. It is a fantastic choice for rain gardens, butterfly gardens, or back-of-the-border plantings. To encourage a bushier habit and more flowers, the stems can be pinched back in early summer.

Quick facts

• Height: 3–5 ft
• Sun: Full to Partial
• Soil moisture: Wet to Medium-Wet
• Bloom time: Aug–Oct (Yellow)
• Life cycle: Perennial
• Native range: Native to 48 states, including Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska

See the full growing guide and county range map for Sneezeweed