Fleabane.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Perennial flowering plant

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

bright-indirect

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

Height: 15-30 cm, Spread: 30-60 cm

Growth rate

fast

Hardiness

USDA 4 to 11

Bloom time

Spring through fall

Care

Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms and maintain a tidy appearance. While drought-tolerant once established, regular watering will improve flowering performance.

Watering

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Reduce watering in cooler months.

Feeding

Feed lightly in spring and mid-summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer.

Pruning

Trim back after flowering to encourage reblooming and maintain shape. Cut back harder in late winter or early spring.

Repotting

Repot young plants annually or biennially in spring. Mature plants can be divided.

Soil

Well-draining soil

Soil pH

Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0-7.0)

Temperature

-6.7 to 29.4°C

Humidity

30 to 60%

Safety

People

This plant is not known to be toxic to humans.

Pets

This plant is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Children

No specific safety concerns for children, beyond typical caution with any garden plant.

Edibility

While not typically considered toxic, it's best to avoid ingesting this plant as it's primarily grown as an ornamental.

How to identify it

• Daisy-like flowers
• Small white to pink petals
• Yellow center
• Hairy stems
• Low-growing habit
• Profuse blooming

Height

0.15 to 0.3m

Spread

0.3 to 0.6m

Leaves

green, evergreen

Flowers

white, pink, blush, 1 to 2cm

Common problems

• Aphids — Small, soft-bodied insects that can cluster on new growth, causing distorted leaves and stems.
• Spider Mites — Tiny pests that thrive in dry conditions, causing stippling on leaves and fine webbing.
• Root Rot — Fungal disease favored by overly wet soil, leading to wilting and yellowing leaves.

Growing it

Propagation

seed, division, cuttings

When to plant

spring, fall

Plant it where it can spill over walls or edges, or use it as a groundcover among plants that appreciate good drainage and sun.

Grows well with

• Dianthus (Pinks) — Their low-growing habit and similar bloom time create a lovely carpet effect with the daisies.
• Thymus (Thyme) — Drought-tolerant herbs that appreciate similar conditions and provide a fragrant contrast.
• Sedum (Stonecrop) — Succulent plants that thrive in well-drained soil and sun, complementing the daisy-like flowers.
• Lavender — Its upright form and fragrant blooms offer a nice vertical element and appeal to similar pollinators.

Keep away from

• Overly Wet Soil — Excessive moisture can lead to root rot and fungal diseases, which this plant cannot tolerate.
• Heavy Shade — While it tolerates some shade, deep shade will reduce flowering and can make the plant leggy.

Similar species

• Erigeron glaucus (Beach Aster) — Also a daisy-like perennial in the same genus, but typically larger and native to coastal California.
• Bellis perennis (English Daisy) — A smaller, more compact plant with a similar daisy-like flower, but with different growing habits and needs.
• Osteospermum (African Daisy) — These offer daisy-like flowers but are often more upright and may have different cold hardiness.

Science

Family

Asteraceae

Genus

Erigeron

Order

Asterales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Central and Southern Mexico.

Conservation

Not considered of conservation concern globally.

It typically colonizes open, disturbed areas and rocky slopes in its native habitat, often growing in crevices.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, pollen source

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, moths

Uses

ornamental, groundcover, cottage gardens

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How much sun does Erigeron karvinskianus need?

It thrives in full sun to partial shade, performing best with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

What kind of soil is best for this plant?

It prefers well-drained soil and is quite adaptable to various soil types, even poor or rocky ones.

How often should I water it?

Water regularly when young, but once established, it's quite drought-tolerant and needs watering mainly during prolonged dry spells.

When does it bloom?

It typically blooms from late spring through fall, providing color for a long period.

Is it invasive?

In some warmer climates, it can be quite prolific and may spread readily, so it's worth monitoring its reach.

Where the name comes from

The genus name 'Erigeron' comes from Greek, meaning 'early old man', referring to the seed heads that can appear early and resemble old man's beard. The species name 'karvinskianus' honors the German botanist Wilhelm Karwinsky.

Good to know

• It's a prolific self-seeder, so it can spread readily in suitable conditions.
• Its small flowers change color as they mature, often starting white and aging to pink.
• It's quite drought-tolerant once established.