Is this plant invasive?

Yes, it is considered an invasive species in many regions of North America.

Does it need a lot of water?

No, it prefers well-drained soil and is quite drought tolerant.

Plant guide

Sulphur cinquefoil.

Potentilla recta

Pronounced po-ten-TIL-uh REK-tuh

Also known as Erect Cinquefoil, Erect Potentil, Roughfruit Cinquefoil, Sulphur Cinquefoil, Upright Cinquefoil

Potentilla recta — Photo by Sandy Wolkenberg (CC BY) via gbif

This hardy perennial is known for its cheerful, pale yellow flowers that bloom throughout the summer. It is quite tough and often found growing in meadows or along roadsides. You will find it is a reliable addition to a sunny garden bed.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 2 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 8
Bloom time: Late spring to mid summer

Care

Plant this in a sunny spot with well draining soil to keep it happy. Watch for wilting if the soil stays too dry, but otherwise it is very low maintenance. It is a vigorous grower, so keep an eye on it to make sure it does not crowd out smaller neighbors.

Watering: Water deeply once the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: A light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring is plenty.
Pruning: Cut back the dead foliage in late autumn or early spring to tidy up.
Repotting: If growing in a container, move to a larger pot only when it becomes root bound.
Soil: Well draining, rocky or sandy soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
Temperature: -30 to 35°C
Humidity: 30 to 70%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot

Safety

People: The plant contains tannins and is generally considered non-toxic but not for consumption.
Children: The plant has no specific hazards for children, but it is always best to discourage eating unknown garden plants.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and may cause stomach upset if ingested.

How to identify it

Five petaled pale yellow flowers
Palmate leaves with seven leaflets
Stiff hairs on stems and leaves
Upright growth habit
Toothed leaf margins

Height: 0.3 to 0.6m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.45m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: yellow, 2 to 3cm

Problems to watch for

Powdery mildew · A white fungal growth on leaves caused by poor air circulation.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, division
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Cut back the dead foliage to the ground in late autumn or early spring. It is very hardy and requires no special winter protection.
In containers: It grows well in containers at least 30 centimeters deep with excellent drainage.

Seed

1. Collect seeds in late summer.
2. Sow seeds in pots in autumn.
3. Keep in a cold frame until spring germination.

Division

1. Dig up the clump in early spring.
2. Carefully pull the root ball apart.
3. Replant sections immediately.

Pair this plant with other drought tolerant perennials to create a low maintenance garden bed.

Grows well with

Yarrow · They share similar requirements for sun and dry soil.
Blue Fescue · The blue foliage provides a nice color contrast to the yellow flowers.

Similar species

Common Cinquefoil · It is a related species with a similar flower appearance but a trailing habit.

Science

Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Potentilla
Order: Rosales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Europe and western Asia.
Conservation: It is considered an invasive weed in some parts of North America where it outcompetes native flora.

It thrives in open, sunny, and dry habitats where it can easily colonize disturbed soil.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: pollinator garden, rock garden, meadow planting

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 3/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is this plant invasive?: Yes, it is considered an invasive species in many regions of North America.
Does it need a lot of water?: No, it prefers well-drained soil and is quite drought tolerant.

Where the name comes from

The name Potentilla is derived from the Latin potens, meaning powerful, while recta refers to its upright growth habit.

Good to know

It is commonly known as sulfur cinquefoil.
The name Potentilla comes from the Latin word for powerful, referring to historical medicinal uses.
It is highly drought tolerant once established.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.