
Photo: Thayne TuasonCC BY-SA 4.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Greene's Goldenbush Plant Care
Ericameria greenei (A.Gray) G.L.Nesom
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Ericameria greenei is a species of flowering shrub in the family Asteraceae known by the common name Greene's goldenbush. It is native to the mountains of the western United States in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and the northern California as far south as Lake and Tuolumne Counties.
Every 10–14 days
Full sun
50–85°F
20–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Greene's Goldenbush?
Plant Greene's Goldenbush in full sun (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 10–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Greene's Goldenbush Native To?
What Is the Greene's Goldenbush?
Greene's Goldenbush (Ericameria greenei) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Ericameria genus. Greene's Goldenbush is native to the mountains of the western United States in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and the northern California as far south as Lake and Tuolumne Counties. Greene's Goldenbush is also known as Aster greenei, Bigelowia greenei, Haplopappus bloomeri var. greenei.
Greene's Goldenbush displays an upright, branching shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Greene's Goldenbush produces small yellow flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Greene's Goldenbush?
Water a young or newly planted Greene's Goldenbush 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.
Watering Frequency
Every 10–14 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Greene's Goldenbush Need?
Greene's Goldenbush thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Greene's Goldenbush Prefer?
Ericameria greenei tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Greene's Goldenbush prefers humidity levels of 20–60%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
20–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Greene's Goldenbush?
Well-draining sandy soil with low fertility. Good drainage is essential for Greene's Goldenbush to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Greene's Goldenbush?
Feed Greene's Goldenbush 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.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Greene's Goldenbush?
Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining sandy soil with low fertility. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Greene's Goldenbush 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.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Greene's Goldenbush?
Greene's Goldenbush can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 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.
How Do You Prune a Greene's Goldenbush?
Prune Greene's Goldenbush 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.
How Do You Care for a Greene's Goldenbush in Winter?
Greene's Goldenbush 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.
How Do You Propagate a Greene's Goldenbush?
Greene's Goldenbush can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to cooper's goldenbush plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Greene's Goldenbush Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Greene's Goldenbush, 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 Greene's Goldenbush?
Greene's Goldenbush is susceptible to aphids, 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 Greene's Goldenbush Need?
Greene's Goldenbush grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Greene's Goldenbush is native to the mountains of the western United States in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and the northern California as far south as Lake and Tuolumne Counties. In cooler regions, grow Greene's Goldenbush as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Greene's Goldenbush 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 Ericameria genus — compare its care with other Ericameria species on PlantoScan.
Ericameria is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Greene's Goldenbush thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Ericameria Species
Other Ericameria species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Ericameria greenei (A.Gray) G.L.Nesom, family Asteraceae (first published in Phytologia 68: 153. 1990) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Greene's Goldenbush, 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: Thayne Tuason, CC BY-SA 4.0, 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.
