Photo: Gordon Leppig & Andrea J. PickartPublic domainvia Wikimedia Commons
Hairy Hawksbeard Plant Care
Crepis hirta Pers.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Leontodon saxatilis is a species of hawkbit known by the common names lesser hawkbit, rough hawkbit, and hairy hawkbit. It is native to Europe and North Africa but can be found in many other places across the globe as an introduced species and often a noxious weed. This is a dandelion-like herb growing patches of many erect, leafless stems from a basal rosette of leaves. The leaves are 2 to 15 centimeters long, 0.5 to 2.5 centimeters wide, entire or lobed, and green in color. Atop the stems are solitary flower heads which are ligulate, containing layered rings of ray florets with no disc florets. The florets are yellow with toothed tips. The fruit is a cylindrical achene with a pappus of scales. Fruits near the center of the flower head are rough, while those growing along the edges of the head are smooth.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Hairy Hawksbeard?
Water Hairy Hawksbeard 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 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Hairy Hawksbeard 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 Hairy Hawksbeard?
Hairy Hawksbeard (Crepis hirta) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Crepis genus. Hairy Hawksbeard is native to Europe and North Africa. Hairy Hawksbeard is also known as Barkhausia bursifolia, Hieracioides bursifolium, Lagoseris bursifolia.
Hairy Hawksbeard displays an upright, branching perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Hairy Hawksbeard produces small daisy-like flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Hairy Hawksbeard?
Crepis hirta 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 Hairy Hawksbeard Need?
Hairy Hawksbeard thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Hairy Hawksbeard Prefer?
Crepis hirta grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Hairy Hawksbeard prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Hairy Hawksbeard?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Hairy Hawksbeard to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Hairy Hawksbeard?
Feed Hairy Hawksbeard 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 Hairy Hawksbeard?
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 Hairy Hawksbeard?
Hairy Hawksbeard can be propagated through seeds, division of root clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to tapertip hawksbeard plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Hairy Hawksbeard Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Hairy Hawksbeard, 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 Hairy Hawksbeard?
Hairy Hawksbeard 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 Hairy Hawksbeard Need?
Hairy Hawksbeard grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Hairy Hawksbeard is native to Europe and North Africa. In cooler regions, grow Hairy Hawksbeard as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Hairy Hawksbeard 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 Crepis genus — compare its care with other Crepis species on PlantoScan.
Crepis is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Hairy Hawksbeard thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Crepis Species
Other Crepis species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Crepis hirta Pers., family Asteraceae (first published in Syn. Pl. 2(2): 377 (1807)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Hairy Hawksbeard, 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: Gordon Leppig & Andrea J. Pickart, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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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