Taraxacum officinale

RHS Plant Profile

dandelion

Synonyms

Leontodon taraxacum

Herbaceous Perennial

An evergreen herbaceous perennial with upright purple stems and upright or horizontal dark green basal foliage growing from a main taproot. Yellow flower heads change into silvery, wispy, tufted seed heads or 'dandelion clocks' which disperse in the wind. Considered a weed in some situations, the leaves, flowers and roots can be used in herbal medicine or as food, and the flowers attract pollinators

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1 year
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 or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–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): H7

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Tufted
Genus: Taraxacum are a large genus of herbaceous perennial plants native to temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere. Leaves are around 5 to 25cm long and the yellow to orange flower heads open during the day and close at night.
Name Status: Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Happy in a wide range of conditions and found naturally in grassy places and waste ground. A valuable plant for wildlife, providing pollen, nectar and seeds over a long period. Good in a species-rich lawn, or out-of-the-way places, it may be unwelcome on gravel paths and fine lawns. For more information see dandelion, and our video Why dandelions matter

Propagation

Propagate by seed. Seeds freely

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Wildlife gardens

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free