Quick answer: Devil's walking stick (Aralia spinosa) is native to 21 states. What's commonly sold under this name is the true wild species. It's typically seed, verified 15 Sep 2026.
Photo: User:Richardelainechambers, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Where it's native
Listed in the directory as native to these states. Click a state for its full native-plant guide.
Growing conditions
From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database.
| Sun | Part Shade |
|---|---|
| Water | High water, Moist |
| Soil | Moist, well-drained, fertile to poor soils - sandy loam, medium loam, clay loam |
| Bloom | Bloom Jun-Sep |
| Height | 12-15 ft, up to 20 ft |
| Wildlife value | Seeds favored by birds, leaves browsed by deer, nectar for bees/butterflies |
none noted formally; colonizes freely by rhizomes/suckers, too aggressive for small spaces; native pioneering species
Buying it
Sold true to the wild species as of the last check (15 Sep 2026), via Amazon.
Sold as: Seed via Amazon · listing verified 15 Sep 2026
See where to buy →Quick answers about Devil's walking stick
Where is Devil's walking stick native?
Devil's walking stick (Aralia spinosa) is native to 21 states across the Northeast, Midwest and South. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does Devil's walking stick bloom?
Devil's walking stick blooms Jun-Sep. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Devil's walking stick need?
Light: Part Shade. Water: High water, Moist. Soil: Moist, well-drained, fertile to poor soils - sandy loam, medium loam, clay loam. Mature height: 12-15 ft, up to 20 ft.
Is Devil's walking stick good for pollinators and wildlife?
Yes. Wildlife value: Seeds favored by birds, leaves browsed by deer, nectar for bees/butterflies.
Is Devil's walking stick deer-resistant or drought-tolerant?
Devil's walking stick is tolerates shade.
Where can I buy real Devil's walking stick seed or plants?
We found a listing sold as seed that names the true species, last checked 15 Sep 2026. Look for the scientific name Aralia spinosa on any listing.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Devil's walking stick.
- Black willow Salix nigra
- Blackjack oak Quercus marilandica
- Shortleaf pine Pinus echinata
- White fringetree Chionanthus virginicus
- Water oak Quercus nigra
- Loblolly pine Pinus taeda
Also listed under
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