Photo: NatthagerCC BY-SA 4.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Helen's Flower Plant Care
Corvisartia helenium Mérat
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Elecampane (Inula helenium), pronounced and also called horse-heal or elfdock, is a widespread plant species in the sunflower family Asteraceae. It is native to Eurasia from Spain to Xinjiang province in western China, and naturalized in parts of North America.
Every 5–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Helen's Flower?
Water Helen's Flower every 5–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Helen's Flower Native To?
What Is the Helen's Flower?
Helen's Flower (Corvisartia helenium) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Corvisartia genus. Helen's Flower is native to Eurasia from Spain to Xinjiang province in western China, and naturalized in parts of North America. Helen's Flower is also known as Oxeye, Aster helenium, Aster officinalis.
Helen's Flower displays a compact, mounding perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Helen's Flower produces small daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Helen's Flower?
Corvisartia helenium requires watering every 5–7 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 5–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Helen's Flower Need?
Helen's Flower thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Helen's Flower Prefer?
Corvisartia helenium grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Helen's Flower prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Helen's Flower?
Well-draining, loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Helen's Flower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Helen's Flower?
Feed Helen's Flower 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 Helen's Flower?
Repot every 2-3 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 Helen's Flower?
Helen's Flower can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball.
Is the Helen's Flower Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Helen's Flower, 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 Helen's Flower?
Helen's Flower 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Helen's Flower Need?
Helen's Flower grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Helen's Flower is native to Eurasia from Spain to Xinjiang province in western China, and naturalized in parts of North America.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 3a – 8b
Keep exploring plants
Helen's Flower 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 Corvisartia genus (family Asteraceae) — search all Corvisartia species in the plant lookup.
Helen's Flower 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: Corvisartia helenium Mérat, family Asteraceae (first published in Nouv. Fl. Env. Paris 2: 261 (1812)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Helen's Flower, 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: Natthager, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 3a – 8b, 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.
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