Pocket BotanistPlant guide
Bugbane.
Actaea simplex
Pronounced ak-TEE-uh SIM-pleks
Bugbane is a lovely perennial that brings height and texture to shady garden spots. It produces tall, slender spikes of fragrant white flowers in late summer and fall. You will love how its dark foliage contrasts with the delicate blooms.
At a glance
- Care level
- Moderate
- Plant type
- Perennial
- Light
- Partial shade to full shade
- Indoor light
- Medium light
- Water
- Every 3 to 7 days
- Mature size
- 4 to 6 feet
- Growth rate
- Medium
Care
Keep the soil consistently moist, as this plant hates drying out. Watch for wilting leaves, which signal that the plant needs more water. Mulch around the base to help retain moisture and keep the roots cool.
- Watering
- Water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
- Feeding
- Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
- Pruning
- Cut the plant back to the ground in late winter or early spring.
- Repotting
- Divide the clumps every few years to maintain plant vigor.
- Soil
- Rich, moisture retentive soil
- Soil pH
- Slightly acidic to neutral
Safety
- Pets
- This plant is considered toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
How to identify it
- Tall spikes of white flowers
- Deeply divided fern like leaves
- Dark purple or green foliage
- Fragrant late summer blooms
Science
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Genus
- Actaea
- Order
- Ranunculales
- Class
- Magnoliopsida
Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.
Also in
Is your bugbane looking unwell?
This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.
This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.