Photo: Donald MacauleyCC BY-SA 2.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Ploughman's spikenard Plant Care
Conyza squarrosa Georgi
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Pentanema squarrosum, known as ploughman's-spikenard, is a species of plant in the family Asteraceae found in Europe, North Africa, and the Near East.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Ploughman's spikenard?
Water Ploughman's spikenard every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Ploughman's spikenard Native To?
- Albania
- Algeria
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Egypt
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Libya
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Tunisia
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
What Is the Ploughman's spikenard?
Ploughman's spikenard (Conyza squarrosa) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Conyza genus. Ploughman's spikenard is native to Europe, North Africa, and the Near East. Ploughman's spikenard is also known as Rough fleabane, Conyza squarrosa.
Ploughman's spikenard displays an upright, branching herb growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Ploughman's spikenard produces small white or yellow daisy-like flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Ploughman's spikenard?
Conyza squarrosa requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Ploughman's spikenard Need?
Ploughman's spikenard thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Ploughman's spikenard Prefer?
Conyza squarrosa grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Ploughman's spikenard prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Ploughman's spikenard?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Ploughman's spikenard to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Ploughman's spikenard?
Feed Ploughman's spikenard every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Ploughman's spikenard?
Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Ploughman's spikenard?
Ploughman's spikenard can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps.
Is the Ploughman's spikenard Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Ploughman's spikenard, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Ploughman's spikenard?
Ploughman's spikenard 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Ploughman's spikenard Need?
Ploughman's spikenard grows outdoors in USDA Zone 5a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 5a. Ploughman's spikenard is native to Europe, North Africa, and the Near East.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 5a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Ploughman's spikenard is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Conyza genus (family Asteraceae) — search all Conyza species in the plant lookup.
Ploughman's spikenard thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Conyza squarrosa Georgi, family Asteraceae (first published in Bemerk. Reise Russ. Reich 1: 229. 1775) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Ploughman's spikenard, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Donald Macauley, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 5a – 9b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Ploughman's spikenard Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species