Erigeron karvinskianus spp., Mexican fleabane
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Perennials

Erigeron karvinskianus spp.

Mexican fleabane

AsteraceaeMexico, Guatemala, Venezuela

At a Glance

TypePerennial
HabitSpreading
FoliageSemi-evergreen
Height6-12 inches (15-30 cm)
Width18-36 inches (45-90 cm)

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 11
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
Zone 10
Zone 11
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Attracts Butterflies
Deer Resistant
Drought Tolerant
Container Friendly
Maintenancevery low

Overview

A spreading, semi-evergreen perennial in the family Asteraceae, native to Mexico and Central America. Plants form loose mounds 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) tall and 18–36 inches (45–90 cm) wide of slender, branching stems bearing small, lance-shaped to spoon-shaped leaves 0.5–1.5 inches (1.3–4 cm) long. From late spring through first frost, plants produce an almost uninterrupted succession of small daisy-like flower heads 0.5–0.75 inch (1.3–2 cm) across. Each flower head opens white with yellow disc florets, then ages through pink to purple-pink over several days, so plants carry flowers in all three color stages simultaneously, giving a soft, multicolored effect. Self-seeds prolifically in suitable conditions — between paving, in wall crevices, and on gravel — creating naturalized colonies that require little management. Hardy to approximately 23°F (-5°C); root-hardy to zone 5 in sheltered positions with good drainage. In zones 9–11, plants may remain in flower nearly year-round. The species is listed as invasive or potentially invasive in parts of the British Isles, New Zealand, and Australia.

Native Range

Native to Mexico, Guatemala, and Venezuela, growing in rocky slopes, cliffs, disturbed ground, and mountain meadows at elevations of 1,000–8,000 feet (300–2,400 m). Widely naturalized in Mediterranean Europe, the British Isles, Macaronesia, New Zealand, and parts of Australia, where it colonizes walls, pavements, and rocky ground in mild coastal climates.

Suggested Uses

Highly effective cascading over walls, spilling from raised beds, and naturalizing in gravel and between paving stones. Plant at 18–24 inch (45–60 cm) spacing in borders or allow to self-seed freely in informal settings. The continuous, delicate bloom makes it excellent for cottage gardens and Mediterranean-style plantings. Container-grown plants are effective in pots and window boxes.

How to Identify

Identified by loose mounds of slender branching stems bearing small daisy-like flower heads 0.5–0.75 inch (1.3–2 cm) across that open white and age through pink to purple-pink, so all color stages appear on the plant simultaneously. The continuous bloom from late spring through frost and the tricolor aging pattern of individual flowers are together diagnostic. Self-seeds freely in wall crevices and between paving stones.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6" - 1'
Width/Spread1'6" - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

white
pink
purple

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~24 weeks
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SpringSummerFall
Blooms May through October in zones 6–9, with peak bloom June–September. In zones 9–11, bloom may continue through winter in mild years. Individual flower heads open white and age over 3–5 days through pink to purple-pink, giving a perpetual multicolored effect. Shearing plants after the first main flush in midsummer stimulates fresh growth and continued bloom.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white aging to pink and purple-pink, with yellow centers

Foliage Description

medium green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamsandrockychalk
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1 year

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun to partial shade in any well-drained soil, including poor, dry, sandy, and rocky soils. Avoid waterlogged conditions. Once established, plants require little supplemental water and are remarkably drought-tolerant. Cut back hard — by two-thirds — in midsummer if plants become leggy, to stimulate fresh growth and continued flowering. In zones 6–7, apply a light mulch over the root zone in fall to improve winter survival. Allow some plants to self-seed to maintain a colony in walls, crevices, and gravel — seedlings transplant poorly once established; allow them to germinate in situ.

Pruning

Shear or cut back by one-half to two-thirds in midsummer if stems become leggy and bloom diminishes; plants recover within 3–4 weeks. Cut back to 3–4 inches (8–10 cm) in early spring before new growth begins. Plants in mild climates can be cut back in fall as well. No division is typically needed; replace aging plants from self-sown seedlings.

Pruning Schedule

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early springsummer

Maintenance Level

very low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 2 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic