Taraxacum officinale agg.

RHS Plant Profile
dandelion

Other common names

blowball, cankerwort, fairy clock, heart-fever grass, Irish daisy, lion's teeth, milk gowan, pee in the bed, pissabed, priest's crown, swine's snout, cankerweed, horse gowan, yellow gowan

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial

A genus of around 250 microspecies of tap-rooted herbaceous perennials, more commonly known as dandelions. These form rosettes of long, toothed green leaves and a milky sap-producing hollow stem. Florets of bright yellow flowers appear from April to June, followed by seed heads (or 'clocks') that are easily dispersed on the breeze. Provides a good nectar source for flying insects and a larval food source fo moths

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam
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
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
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. Prefers a rich soil. Naturally found in grassy places and waste ground. 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