Hairy Bitterweed Plant Care

Hairy Bitterweed (Hymenoxys odorata) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Hymenoxys genus. Hairy Bitterweed is native to the southwestern and south-central United States from southern California to Texas north as far as Kansas and Colorado, as well as northern Mexico. Hairy Bitterweed is also known as Texas Bitterweed, Actinea odorata, Actinella odorata.

Hairy Bitterweed displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Hairy Bitterweed produces daisy-like yellow flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Hairy Bitterweed every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Hairy Bitterweed thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Hymenoxys odorata tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Hairy Bitterweed prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.

Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Hairy Bitterweed to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Hairy Bitterweed every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Hairy Bitterweed is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Hairy Bitterweed can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Hairy Bitterweed while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Hairy Bitterweed is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Hairy Bitterweed can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to bigelow's rubberweed plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Hairy Bitterweed is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Hairy Bitterweed grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Hairy Bitterweed is native to the southwestern and south-central United States from southern California to Texas north as far as Kansas and Colorado, as well as northern Mexico. In cooler regions, grow Hairy Bitterweed as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.