Pocket BotanistPlant guide
catsear.
Hypochaeris radicata
Pronounced hy-po-KEE-ris ra-di-KAH-tah
Also known as Cat's Ear, Cat's-Ear, Catsear, Common Cat's Ear, Common Cat's-ear, Common Catsear, Dandelion, Deep-rooted Catsear
Catsear is a hardy perennial often mistaken for a dandelion because of its yellow flowers. It thrives in lawns and disturbed soil across many regions. You'll find it forms a low rosette of hairy leaves that stay close to the ground.
At a glance
- Care level
- Easy
- Plant type
- Perennial herb
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Indoor light
- Direct sun
- Water
- Every 7 to 14 days
- Mature size
- 1 to 2 feet
- Growth rate
- Medium
Care
This plant is quite tough and rarely needs human intervention. Watch for it crowding out your desired lawn grasses if you want a pristine yard. It handles drought well once established.
- Watering
- Water only during extended dry spells as it is quite drought tolerant.
- Feeding
- Fertilizing is not necessary for this plant.
- Pruning
- Remove flower heads before they seed if you want to limit its spread.
- Repotting
- It is rarely grown in containers, but repot if the taproot becomes cramped.
- Soil
- Well-draining, sandy or loamy soil
- Soil pH
- 5.5 to 7.5
Safety
- Pets
- This plant is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
How to identify it
- Basal rosette of hairy leaves
- Yellow dandelion like flower heads
- Leafless branched flowering stems
- Deep taproot system
Science
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Genus
- Hypochaeris
- Order
- Asterales
- Class
- Magnoliopsida
Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.
Is your catsear looking unwell?
This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.
This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.