Idaho Balsamroot Plant Care

Idaho Balsamroot (Balsamorhiza hookeri var. idahoensis) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Balsamorhiza genus. Idaho Balsamroot is native to Western United States, Canada.

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

Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Idaho 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.

Idaho Balsamroot thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Balsamorhiza hookeri var. idahoensis tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Idaho Balsamroot prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

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

Feed Idaho 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.

Idaho Balsamroot is suited to USDA Zone 5a – 8b.

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.

Idaho 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 Idaho 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.

Idaho Balsamroot is hardy down to USDA zone 5a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Idaho 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.

Idaho 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.

Idaho Balsamroot grows outdoors in USDA Zone 5a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 5a. Idaho Balsamroot is native to Western United States, Canada.