Will my mouse-ear hawkweed bloom indoors?

It is very difficult to get this plant to bloom indoors because it requires intense, direct sunlight that most homes cannot provide. It is much happier and more likely to flower when planted in a sunny outdoor garden.

Do I need to fertilize to get flowers?

Usually, no. This plant is adapted to poor, rocky soils and too much fertilizer will often encourage leafy growth at the expense of flowers.

Why is my mouse-ear hawkweed not blooming? Causes and fixes

Check these first

Assess the number of hours of direct sunlight the plant receives daily.
Check if the plant is being kept in a dark corner or under heavy shade.
Observe if the plant has enough energy to bloom by checking for new, healthy leaf growth.

Likely causes

Insufficient light
Most likely
How to tell: The plant looks stretched out or leggy with pale green foliage. It will not produce flower buds if it is kept in partial shade or indoors away from a window.
What to do: Move your plant to a spot that receives full, direct sun for at least 6 to 8 hours a day. If you are growing it indoors, place it directly in a south-facing window.
Lack of seasonal cooling
Possible
How to tell: The plant looks healthy and green but simply refuses to set buds even in bright light. This often happens if the plant is kept at a constant warm temperature year-round.
What to do: Allow the plant to experience a natural cooling period during the winter months. Keep it in a cooler room or outdoors in a sheltered spot where temperatures drop slightly to trigger the spring bloom cycle.

Other plants that won't flower

Find out what's wrong with your mouse-ear hawkweed

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

When to worry

It is normal for young plants to skip flowering in their first year while they establish their root system. Worry only if the plant is mature and has received full sun for an entire season without producing a single bud.

Stopping it coming back

Ensure your hawkweed gets maximum sun exposure throughout the growing season and keep it in a spot that experiences natural seasonal temperature shifts.

Mouse-ear hawkweed: not flowering? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your mouse-ear hawkweed and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Will my mouse-ear hawkweed bloom indoors?: It is very difficult to get this plant to bloom indoors because it requires intense, direct sunlight that most homes cannot provide. It is much happier and more likely to flower when planted in a sunny outdoor garden.
Do I need to fertilize to get flowers?: Usually, no. This plant is adapted to poor, rocky soils and too much fertilizer will often encourage leafy growth at the expense of flowers.

Why is my mouse-ear hawkweed not blooming?