annualN. America Native

Butterweed

The Story

Plant Bio

Packera glabella, commonly known as butterweed, is a winter annual forb native to central and eastern North America that forms a low foliage rosette in fall before flowering the following spring. The plant produces stout, hollow, deeply grooved stems streaked with red, topped by flat clusters of bright canary yellow daisy-like blooms.

Its hairless, cress-like leaves feature deeply pinnately lobed margins that grow progressively smaller up the stem. All plant parts contain toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, rendering the foliage unpalatable to deer, rabbits, and grazing livestock.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides massed displays of bright canary yellow spring blossoms over rich green rosette foliage.

Stabilizes wet, disturbed alluvial soils and muck during winter and early spring.

Serves as an early spring nectar source for native bees, flies, and beetles, with seeds consumed by small birds.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Annual

Height

36"

Width

18"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

High / Consistently Moist

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Annual / Biennial

Native To

Central and Eastern North America

Toxicity

Toxic to livestock and pets if ingested

Bloom period

Spring – Early summer

In flower about 4 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Sow seeds on the surface of moist, rich soil in early fall, as seeds require sunlight and cool ambient temperatures to germinate.
Keep the site continuously moist throughout fall and winter while the basal rosette establishes.
Provide full sun to light shade during active spring growth as flowering stalks erect.
Allow the winter annual cycle to finish naturally or cut back spent stems before fluffy seed heads release into the wind.

Pro Tip

Mow or hand-pull stands before seeds mature in late spring to eliminate aggressive self-seeding in wet or disturbed ground.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Keep soil consistently wet or damp during active winter and spring growth.
Sow seed in early autumn for natural cold stratification and fall rosette emergence.

Don't

Do not allow soil to dry out completely during active growth.
Do not allow livestock or horses to pasture where heavy infestations occur.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Pest Check
Plant
Prune
Spring Cleanup

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Rain gardensWetland restorationBioswalesNaturalized moist meadows

Companion Plants

Carex stricta Iris virginica Asclepias incarnata Verbena hastata

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Butterweed questions

What zones can Butterweed grow in?

Butterweed is hardy in USDA Zones 4–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Butterweed deer resistant?

Yes — Butterweed is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Butterweed bloom?

Butterweed typically blooms in spring through early summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Butterweed need full sun?

Butterweed does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.