Smooth Balsamroot Plant Care

Smooth Balsamroot (Balsamorhiza glabrescens) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Balsamorhiza genus. Smooth Balsamroot is native to western North America from British Columbia to California. Smooth Balsamroot is also known as Balsamroot.

Smooth Balsamroot displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to 2.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Smooth Balsamroot produces large yellow daisy-like flowers on tall stems.

Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Smooth Balsamroot every 10–14 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.

Smooth Balsamroot thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Balsamorhiza glabrescens tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Smooth Balsamroot prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Smooth Balsamroot to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Smooth Balsamroot 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 loam with good organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Smooth Balsamroot 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.

Smooth Balsamroot can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 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 Smooth Balsamroot 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.

Smooth Balsamroot 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.

Smooth Balsamroot can be propagated through seeds, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to hispid balsamroot plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Smooth Balsamroot is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, powdery mildew. 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.

Smooth Balsamroot grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Smooth Balsamroot is native to western North America from British Columbia to California. In cooler regions, grow Smooth Balsamroot as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.