Field Yellowtops Plant Care
Flaveria campestris J.R.Johnst.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Flaveria campestris, common name alkali yellowtops, is a plant species native to the southwestern United States and to the southern Great Plains. It is found on saline soils and on the margins of lakes, ponds and streams.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Field Yellowtops?
Plant Field Yellowtops in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Field Yellowtops Native To?
What Is the Field Yellowtops?
Field Yellowtops (Flaveria campestris) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Flaveria genus. Field Yellowtops is native to the southwestern United States and to the southern Great Plains.
Field Yellowtops displays an upright, branching shrub growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Field Yellowtops produces small yellow clustered flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Field Yellowtops?
Water a young or newly planted Field Yellowtops every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Field Yellowtops Need?
Field Yellowtops thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Field Yellowtops Prefer?
Flaveria campestris tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Field Yellowtops prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Field Yellowtops?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Field Yellowtops to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Field Yellowtops?
Feed Field Yellowtops 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 Field Yellowtops?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Field Yellowtops is suited to USDA Zone 13a.
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 Field Yellowtops?
Field Yellowtops can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 2 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 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 Field Yellowtops?
Prune Field Yellowtops 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 Field Yellowtops in Winter?
Field Yellowtops is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). 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 Field Yellowtops?
Field Yellowtops can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to narrowleaf yellowtops plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Field Yellowtops Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Field Yellowtops, 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 Field Yellowtops?
Field Yellowtops 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 Field Yellowtops Need?
Field Yellowtops grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Field Yellowtops is native to the southwestern United States and to the southern Great Plains. In cooler regions, grow Field Yellowtops as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Field Yellowtops 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 Flaveria genus — compare its care with other Flaveria species on PlantoScan.
Flaveria is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Field Yellowtops thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Flaveria Species
Other Flaveria species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Flaveria campestris J.R.Johnst., family Asteraceae (first published in Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 39: 287 (1903)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Field Yellowtops, 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.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, 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.
