Arnica montana

RHS Plant Profile

mountain tobacco

RHS

Other common names

arnica, medicinal leopard's bane, mountain alkanet

Herbaceous Perennial

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A clump-forming perennial producing a rosette of broadly oval leaves up to 15cm long. In summer it produces deep yellow or orange-yellow flowers 5-8cm across

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eatenskin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus: Arnica are rhizomatous perennials with simple, opposite leaves and daisy-like yellow flowers, solitary or in loose sprays, in summer
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: C & N Europe

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in a sunny position

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in a cold frame in autumn, or by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut down stems once flowering is finished

Pests

May be susceptible to caterpillars and slugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free