Also known as Hawkweed · 49 saves
Hieracium
Hieracium, the genus most gardeners know as hawkweed. We track 3 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 3 most-saved Hieracium varieties
Species of Hieracium
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Hieracium in Sow
Save the Hieracium you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Hieracium
Whats common across all Hieracium varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 3 most-grown of them.
The Hieracium year
- DeadheadMay and June100% of varieties
CRITICAL: Remove spent flowers immediately to prevent self-seeding and spread.
- Spring CleanupMarch and April100% of varieties
Remove spreading runners and new rosettes regularly to control its spread.
Do
- Water during dry spells 🌱
- Water during prolonged dry spells 🌱
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
- Divide every 3 years for vigorous growth
- Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot ❌
- Don’t disturb roots during flowering
- Refrain from fertilizing late in the season
- Overwatering in winter ❌
What goes wrong with Hieracium
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Powdery Mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply sulfur fungicide |
| Root rot | Wilting, browning at base | Improve drainage, reduce watering |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply organic fungicide |
Making more Hieracium
Seed
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring
- Keep soil consistently moist for 2 weeks
- Thin seedlings to 8 inches apart
- Expect germination in about 2 weeks
Division
- Dig up mature clumps in early spring
- Divide into sections with roots attached
- Replant divisions immediately in prepared soil
- Water thoroughly after planting
Hieracium questions
How many types of Hieracium are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 3 distinct Hieracium varieties. The most popular — ranked by 49 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Hieracium grow in?
Across its varieties, Hieracium covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Hieracium bloom?
Most Hieracium varieties bloom in mid-spring, mid-summer, late spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Hieracium 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.