Is this plant a weed?

It is often considered a weed in manicured lawns but is a valuable native wildflower in meadows.

Hand pulling is effective, but ensure you remove the entire taproot.

Plant guide

Autumn hawkbit.

Scorzoneroides autumnalis

Pronounced skor-zoh-ner-OY-deez aw-tum-NAH-liss

Also known as Autumn Hawkbit, Autumnal Hawkbit

Scorzoneroides autumnalis — Photo by Shelley McMurtrie (CC BY) via gbif

The autumn hawkbit is a charming wildflower that often pops up in meadows and lawns. It looks quite a bit like a dandelion, but it has more slender, branching stems. You will love how it brings a splash of yellow to the landscape as summer fades.

Another photo of Autumn hawkbit — Photo by Георгий Виноградов (Georgy Vinogradov) (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial herb
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 12 to 18 inches
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 9
Bloom time: Mid summer to late autumn

Care

This plant thrives in open sunny spots with well drained soil. Keep an eye out for aphids or mildew if the area stays too damp. It is quite hardy and usually takes care of itself once established.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: A light application of balanced fertilizer in spring is plenty.
Pruning: Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers throughout the season.
Repotting: Repot only if the plant becomes root bound in its container.
Soil: Well drained sandy or loamy soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly acidic
Temperature: -40 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 80%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of drainage holes
Stunted growth
Soil drying out too quickly

Safety

People: There are no reports of significant toxicity to humans.
Children: Keep away from small children to prevent accidental ingestion of plant parts.
Contact allergens: The milky sap can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: Pollen may cause mild reactions in those with seasonal allergies.
Edibility: While not highly toxic, it is not considered a culinary plant and should be avoided.

How to identify it

Bright yellow dandelion like flowers
Slender branching flower stems
Basal rosette of lobed leaves
Hairy or smooth leaf surfaces

Height: 0.1 to 0.4m
Spread: 0.15 to 0.3m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: yellow, 2 to 3cm

Problems to watch for

Powdery mildew · A white fungal growth appears on leaves during periods of high humidity.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your autumn hawkbit from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: seed, division
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: The plant dies back to a basal rosette in winter. No special protection is needed as it is quite hardy.
In containers: It grows well in containers, provided they are at least 20 centimeters deep to accommodate the taproot.

Seed

1. Collect seeds in late autumn.
2. Sow directly into prepared soil.
3. Lightly cover with soil and keep moist.

Division

1. Dig up the plant in early spring.
2. Carefully separate the root crown.
3. Replant immediately in well draining soil.

Plant in groups to create a natural meadow look that supports local pollinators.

Grows well with

Common Yarrow · They share similar light and moisture requirements in meadow settings.
Oxeye Daisy · This plant provides a nice structural contrast to the hawkbit.

Similar species

Dandelion · It has a very similar appearance but blooms earlier in the season.

Science

Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Scorzoneroides
Order: Asterales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Europe and parts of western Asia.
Conservation: It is a common and widespread species with no conservation concerns.

It is a hardy perennial that colonizes open, grassy habitats and disturbed ground through prolific seed production.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: meadow gardens, pollinator support, naturalistic plantings

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is this plant a weed?: It is often considered a weed in manicured lawns but is a valuable native wildflower in meadows.
How do I control it?: Hand pulling is effective, but ensure you remove the entire taproot.

Where the name comes from

The name Scorzoneroides refers to its resemblance to the genus Scorzonera, while autumnalis refers to its late season flowering habit.

Good to know

It is commonly called autumn hawkbit.
The flowers close up during cloudy weather or at night.
It thrives in disturbed soils and grassy areas.
It is a resilient plant that can handle frequent mowing.

Keep your autumn hawkbit growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

Get the app

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.