What hardiness zones is Taraxacum officinale suitable for?

Taraxacum officinale is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

What are the sun requirements for Taraxacum officinale?

Taraxacum officinale requires Full Sun.

How much water does Taraxacum officinale need?

Taraxacum officinale has Medium water needs.

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Herbaceous

Taraxacum officinale

Dandelion Greens

AsteraceaeEurope, western Asia

At a Glance

TypePerennial

HabitMounding

FoliageDeciduous

Height2-18 inches (5-45 cm)

Width6-18 inches (15-45 cm)

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 10

Zone 3

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

Zone 10

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Drought Tolerant

Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Taraxacum officinale is a taprooted perennial in the daisy family (Asteraceae) reaching 2–18 inches (5–45 cm) tall with a 6–18 inch (15–45 cm) spread, growing as a basal rosette with solitary flower heads on hollow, leafless scapes. The taproot is fleshy, dark brown, 6–18 inches (15–45 cm) deep, exuding milky white latex when cut. Leaves are in a basal rosette, 2–16 inches (5–40 cm) long, deeply pinnately lobed with backward-pointing triangular lobes (runcinate), smooth to sparsely hairy. Scapes are hollow, smooth, 2–18 inches (5–45 cm) tall, each bearing a single head. Flower heads are 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) in diameter, composed entirely of ligulate (ray-type) florets, bright yellow. Involucral bracts in two series: outer bracts reflexed downward, inner bracts erect. Fruit is a ribbed achene with a long beak topped by a white pappus of feathery hairs, forming the characteristic spherical seed clock 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) in diameter. A single plant produces 2,000–15,000 seeds per year. Reproduces primarily by apomixis (asexual seed production without pollination). The taproot regenerates from fragments as short as 1 inch (2.5 cm). The most recognizable weed worldwide.

Native Range

Native to Europe and western Asia, occurring in lawns, pastures, roadsides, and disturbed ground from sea level to approximately 12,000 feet (3,600 m). Naturalized across all 50 U.S. states and all Canadian provinces. Present on every continent including Antarctica (near research stations). Arguably the most widely recognized weed worldwide.

Suggested Uses

Used in Asteraceae identification as the standard example of an all-ligulate head (Cichorieae tribe), the pappus dispersal mechanism, and the milky latex. The apomictic reproduction is a primary teaching example in plant reproductive biology. The hollow scape, runcinate leaf shape, and reflexed outer involucral bracts are standard morphological teaching features. Edible: leaves as salad greens (young), roots roasted as coffee substitute, flowers in wine. An early-season pollen and nectar source for bees.

How to Identify

Identified by the basal rosette of runcinate leaves, the solitary yellow head on a hollow leafless scape, the milky latex, and the spherical white pappus clock at maturity. Distinguished from Hypochaeris radicata (cat's ear, false dandelion) by the leafless, unbranched scape (versus branched, scaly scape), the deeply runcinate leaves (versus shallowly lobed, hairy leaves), and the smooth or sparsely hairy leaves (versus densely hairy). Distinguished from Sonchus species by the solitary head on a leafless scape (versus multiple heads on leafy stems). The hollow scape is a tactile diagnostic: squeeze the scape and feel the hollow tube.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2" - 1'6"

Width/Spread6" - 1'6"

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~20 weeks

SpringSummerFall

Flowers from March through October, with peak bloom in April through June. Individual heads open on sunny mornings and close at night and in rain. Scapes elongate after pollination. Reproduces primarily by apomixis: seeds develop without fertilization, producing genetic clones. Pollen is produced and collected by bees but is not required for seed formation. In the Pacific Northwest, some flowering occurs in every month of the year in mild winters.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Yellow

Foliage Description

Medium green, deeply pinnately lobed with backward-pointing triangular lobes (runcinate); in a basal rosette; milky latex throughout

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Requires 3-10 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 Range5.5 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamsandsiltclay

Drainage

average

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1 year

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Digging the entire taproot is the most effective removal method; the taproot must be extracted to at least 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) depth, as fragments regenerate. A narrow dandelion weeding tool or forked weeder is the standard tool. Mowing removes flower heads but does not eliminate the rosette, and plants flower at progressively shorter scape heights under repeated mowing. In lawns, maintaining dense, vigorous turf at 3+ inches (8+ cm) mowing height suppresses establishment. The apomictic reproduction means a single plant colonizes without pollination. The long-lived seed bank and wind dispersal make eradication from large areas impractical; management focuses on reducing density.

Pruning

No pruning applicable. Plants are dug with a narrow weeding tool, extracting 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) of taproot. Mowing before the pappus clock forms prevents seed dispersal but does not kill the rosette.

Maintenance Level

moderate

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic

Planting Guide

Planting Methods & Timing

Planting Method

direct sow

Days to Maturity

85–95 days

Plant Spacing

8 inches