Quick answer: Bog laurel (Kalmia polifolia) is native to 13 states. What's commonly sold under this name is the true wild species. No live listing of the true species was found as of 16 Sep 2026.
Photo: Joshua Mayer from Madison, WI, USA, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-2.0)
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 | Sun, Part Shade, Shade |
|---|---|
| Water | Medium (wet) |
| Soil | Wet, organic, peat, acidic |
| Bloom | May-Jun |
| Height | Up to 3 ft |
| Wildlife value | Conspicuous flowers |
All plant parts highly toxic and potentially fatal; symptoms: salivation, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, lack of coordination, paralysis; andromedotoxin and arbutin
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 16 Sep 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
No live seed or plant listing found as of 16 Sep 2026. That means our last search didn't surface one — not that the plant is unavailable. Try a regional native-plant nursery.
Quick answers about Bog laurel
Where is Bog laurel native?
Bog laurel (Kalmia polifolia) is native to 13 states across the Northeast and West. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does Bog laurel bloom?
Bog laurel blooms May-Jun. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Bog laurel need?
Light: Sun, Part Shade, Shade. Water: Medium (wet). Soil: Wet, organic, peat, acidic. Mature height: Up to 3 ft.
Is Bog laurel good for pollinators and wildlife?
Yes. Wildlife value: Conspicuous flowers.
Is Bog laurel deer-resistant or drought-tolerant?
Bog laurel is deer-resistant, tolerates shade and handles wet soil.
Is Bog laurel toxic?
All plant parts highly toxic and potentially fatal; symptoms: salivation, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, lack of coordination, paralysis; andromedotoxin and arbutin.
Where can I buy Bog laurel?
We haven't found an online listing of the true wild species as of 16 Sep 2026. A regional native-plant nursery or native seed company is your best source; ask for Kalmia polifolia by its scientific name.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Bog laurel.
- Ostrich fern Matteuccia struthiopteris
- Sheep laurel Kalmia angustifolia
- Sensitive fern Onoclea sensibilis
- Royal fern Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis
- Cardinal flower Lobelia cardinalis
- Cinnamon fern Osmunda cinnamomea
Also listed under
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