Canadian Fleabane Plant Care

Canadian Fleabane (Erigeron canadensis) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Erigeron genus. Canadian Fleabane is native to North America and South America. Canadian Fleabane is also known as Horseweed, Aster canadensis, Caenotus canadensis.

Canadian Fleabane displays an upright, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Canadian Fleabane produces small, white, daisy-like clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Canadian Fleabane every 7–14 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.

Canadian Fleabane thrives in full sun.

Erigeron canadensis tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Canadian Fleabane prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining. Good drainage is essential for Canadian Fleabane to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Canadian Fleabane every 7 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 and well-draining. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Canadian Fleabane is suited to USDA Zone 2a – 11b.

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.

Canadian Fleabane can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 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.

Prune Canadian Fleabane 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.

Canadian Fleabane is hardy down to USDA zone 2a, 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.

Canadian Fleabane can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to annual fleabane plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Canadian Fleabane 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.

Canadian Fleabane grows outdoors in USDA Zone 2a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 2a. Canadian Fleabane is native to North America and South America.