Hemp Dogbane
Apocynum cannabinum
Also listed as Apocynum pubescens, Apocynum suksdorfii
Also known as Indian Hemp, Clasping Dogbane, Common Dogbane
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Hemp dogbane is a native North American perennial with slender upright stems and small pink or white flowers followed by paired pod-like fruits. It thrives in dry conditions and spreads via rhizomes, making it useful for erosion control but potentially invasive in managed gardens.
Why grow it
Hemp dogbane fills a specialized niche as a native perennial for erosion control on slopes and disturbed sites where its aggressive rhizomatous spread is an asset rather than a liability. It offers reliable drought tolerance and attracts pollinators and native bees throughout late spring and summer, making it valuable in naturalized settings where containment is not a concern. Compared to more garden-friendly milkweeds (Asclepias species), it is less suited to managed perennial beds but more resilient in unmanaged or restored areas.
Watch out for
Hemp dogbane spreads vigorously by rhizomes and will dominate adjacent plantings if not contained; it is best suited to naturalized areas, slopes, or stream banks where aggressive spread is desired rather than managed garden beds. The hollow, dead stems provide nesting habitat for native bees, so allow them to stand through winter and cut back only to 12-24 inches rather than removing entirely.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Apocynaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
North American native
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Hemp dogbane is a native North American perennial with slender upright stems and small pink or white flowers followed by paired pod-like fruits. It thrives in dry conditions and spreads via rhizomes, making it useful for erosion control but potentially invasive in managed gardens.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Hemp Dogbane grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Hemp dogbane fills a specialized niche as a native perennial for erosion control on slopes and disturbed sites where its aggressive rhizomatous spread is an asset rather than a liability. It offers reliable drought tolerance and attracts pollinators and native bees throughout late spring and summer, making it valuable in naturalized settings where containment is not a concern. Compared to more garden-friendly milkweeds (Asclepias species), it is less suited to managed perennial beds but more resilient in unmanaged or restored areas.
Watch out for
Hemp dogbane spreads vigorously by rhizomes and will dominate adjacent plantings if not contained; it is best suited to naturalized areas, slopes, or stream banks where aggressive spread is desired rather than managed garden beds. The hollow, dead stems provide nesting habitat for native bees, so allow them to stand through winter and cut back only to 12-24 inches rather than removing entirely.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Apocynaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
North American native
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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