Chamaenerion angustifolium (Fireweed)

Imagine a tall, luminous wildflower with spikes of vibrant pink blooms that quickly bring color and life back to open land—that’s fireweed.

Sow in fall or cold-stratify and sow in spring. (~100 seeds)

Chamaenerion angustifolium (Fireweed) is a low-maintenance, wildlife-supporting native perennial known for its ability to colonize open ground and support pollinators. Native across much of North America, it naturally grows in meadows, forest edges, riverbanks, roadsides, and—most famously—post-disturbance landscapes such as areas recovering from fire. Blooming from early to mid-summer, its showy flowers are rich in nectar and pollen.

Fireweed thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soils, though it adapts to a wide range of conditions once established. It spreads by both seed and underground rhizomes, allowing it to form broad, colorful stands—an asset in restoration settings where quick coverage is needed.

Bold, resilient, and ecologically powerful, fireweed is both a symbol of renewal and a critical plant for supporting wildlife in changing landscapes.

🌿 What makes it special

Fireweed is often one of the first plants to return after disturbance, stabilizing soil and providing abundant nectar during peak pollinator season.

🐝 Who loves it

Native bees, bumble bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial insects

🌎 Where it belongs

Meadows, forest clearings, stream edges, roadsides, and restoration sites. It is vigorous, spreading, and highly adaptable.

Best Places to Plant It

🌾 Large pollinator meadows and habitat corridors
🌼 Restoration and rewilding projects
☀️ Open, sunny to lightly shaded areas
🐝 Bee- and hummingbird-friendly landscapes
🌲 Edges of forests or recovering sites

If you’re aiming for a high-impact native plant that supports pollinators, restores disturbed land, and creates dramatic seasonal color, fireweed is an excellent choice—especially where space allows it to spread naturally.