Daisy fleabane.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Herbaceous annual or biennial (occasionally a short-lived perennial)

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

2 to 3 feet

Growth rate

Medium

Hardiness

USDA 3 to 9

Bloom time

Late spring to mid summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist while the plant is establishing itself in your garden. Watch for wilting during dry spells, as this indicates it needs a good soak. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage a longer flowering season.

Watering

Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Feeding

A light application of compost in early spring is usually plenty.

Pruning

Trim back the stems after flowering to keep the plant tidy.

Repotting

If grown in a container, move to a larger pot once the roots fill the current one.

Soil

Well-draining loam or sandy soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.5

Temperature

-30 to 35°C

Humidity

30 to 70%

Safety

People

There are no significant reports of toxicity, but it is not intended for human consumption.

Children

While not highly toxic, the plant parts should not be ingested by small children.

Contact allergens

Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from the fine hairs on the stems.

Airborne allergens

The pollen can cause mild reactions in sensitive individuals during the peak flowering season.

Edibility

This plant is not considered edible and should be avoided for consumption.

How to identify it

• Small white ray flowers
• Yellow central disk florets
• Narrow, lance-shaped leaves
• Hairy, slender stems
• Branching flower clusters

Height

0.3 to 0.8m

Spread

0.2 to 0.4m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

white, pale lavender, 1 to 2cm

Problems to watch for

• Powdery mildew · A fungal growth that appears as white dust on leaves during humid weather.

Growing it

Propagation

seed

When to plant

spring, fall

Plant in groups of three or more to create a more natural, meadow-like appearance that attracts more pollinators.

Grows well with

• Little Bluestem · This grass provides a sturdy structural contrast to the delicate daisy flowers.
• Purple Coneflower · They share similar light and moisture requirements in a sunny meadow setting.

Similar species

• Philadelphia Fleabane · It has a similar appearance but prefers slightly moister soil conditions.

Science

Family

Asteraceae

Genus

Erigeron

Order

Asterales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Widespread across most of North America.

Conservation

It is a common and widespread native wildflower that is not currently of conservation concern.

It serves as an important early-season nectar source for a wide variety of generalist pollinators in open fields and prairies.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, supports native pollinators

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, moths, beetles

Uses

pollinator gardens, meadow plantings, wildflower meadows

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is this plant a weed?

It is a native wildflower that can be aggressive in garden beds but is a valuable member of meadow ecosystems.

Does it need fertilizer?

No, it prefers lean soil and does not require supplemental feeding.

Where the name comes from

The name Erigeron comes from Greek words meaning early and old man, referring to the white, hair-like pappus that appears early in the season. The common name fleabane reflects the historical belief that the plant could drive away fleas.

Good to know

• It is often called daisy fleabane because people once thought the dried plants repelled fleas.
• The species name strigosus refers to the stiff, appressed hairs found on the stems and leaves.
• It is a hardy pioneer species that quickly colonizes disturbed soil.