Also known as Hawkweed · 44 gardener saves
Hieracium: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Hieracium, the genus most gardeners know as hawkweed. We track 3 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 3 most-saved Hieracium varieties
Of 3 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedMatted Hawkweed
Hieracium lanatum
#2 most savedOrange Hawkweed
Hieracium aurantiacum
Spotted Hawkweed
Hieracium maculatum
How to grow Hieracium
What the Hieracium varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 3 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
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 44 real gardener saves — 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.
Keep exploring
Hieracium shows up in
Design with Hieracium in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
