Also known as Wild Buckwheat · 341 saves
Eriogonum
Eriogonum, the genus most gardeners know as wild buckwheat. We track 5 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 4 most-saved Eriogonum varieties
Browse all 5 Eriogonum varieties →
2 species of Eriogonum
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Eriogonum in Sow
Save the Eriogonum you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Eriogonum
Whats common across all Eriogonum varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 5 most-grown of them.
The Eriogonum year
- PlantSeptember and October60% of varieties
Plant in early spring or fall into well-draining, lean soil
- PruneAugust and September60% of varieties
Lightly shape after flowering to maintain a dense, tidy form
- Spring CleanupFebruary40% of varieties
Remove any dead or damaged foliage before new growth begins
Do
- Give it full sun and gritty drainage ☀️
- Leave it dry through summer 🌵
- Let the rust-coloured heads stand 🍂
- Plant it for western butterflies 🦋
- Water sparingly during dry months 🌱
Avoid
- Water it once established ❌
- Plant it in clay or rich soil ❌
- Mulch over the crown ❌
- Overwater, which can cause root rot ❌
What goes wrong with Eriogonum
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Root rot | Wilting despite watering | Improve soil drainage and reduce watering |
| Generally pest-free | No significant insect damage is typical | Monitor only; the many butterflies it hosts are the point, not a problem |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Increase humidity and spray with insecticidal soap |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Apply a fungicide or neem oil |
| Root and crown rot | The mat blackens and collapses, almost always after summer watering or in heavy soil | There is no cure. Replant on a gritty raised site and keep irrigation away from it |
| Root Rot | Wilting and blackened roots | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
Making more Eriogonum
Cuttings
- Select healthy, non-flowering stems.
- Dip cuttings in rooting hormone.
- Plant in sandy soil and mist daily.
- Roots develop in 6 weeks.
Seed
- Sow fresh seed in autumn in a gritty mix.
- Leave outdoors to chill through winter.
- Prick out carefully; it resents root disturbance.
Eriogonum questions
How many types of Eriogonum are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 5 distinct Eriogonum varieties. The most popular — ranked by 341 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Eriogonum grow in?
Across its varieties, Eriogonum covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Eriogonum bloom?
Most Eriogonum varieties bloom in early summer, late spring to summer, mid-summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Eriogonum should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.