Tail Arnica Plant Care

Tail Arnica (Arnica caudata) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Arnica genus. Tail Arnica is native to the forests of western Canada and the western United States.

Tail Arnica displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Tail Arnica produces bright yellow daisy-like flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Tail Arnica every 7–10 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.

Tail Arnica thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Arnica caudata tolerates temperatures of 60–75°F. Tail Arnica prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining, loamy soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Tail Arnica to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Tail Arnica 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, loamy soil with good organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Tail Arnica is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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.

Tail Arnica can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 2 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 Tail Arnica 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.

Tail Arnica is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Tail Arnica can be propagated through seeds, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to doronicum acaule plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Tail Arnica is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, spider mites. 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.

Tail Arnica grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Tail Arnica is native to the forests of western Canada and the western United States. In cooler regions, grow Tail Arnica as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.