Ash Meadows Gumweed Plant Care

Ash Meadows Gumweed (Grindelia fraxinipratensis) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Grindelia genus. Ash Meadows Gumweed is native to the southwestern United States, in Mojave Desert regions in Nye County in Nevada and Inyo County in California.

Ash Meadows Gumweed displays an upright, branching shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Ash Meadows Gumweed produces bright yellow daisy-like flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Ash Meadows Gumweed 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.

Ash Meadows Gumweed thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Grindelia fraxinipratensis tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Ash Meadows Gumweed prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy soil mix with some organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Ash Meadows Gumweed to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Ash Meadows Gumweed 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.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil mix with some organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Ash Meadows Gumweed 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.

Ash Meadows Gumweed 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.

Prune Ash Meadows Gumweed 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.

Ash Meadows Gumweed 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.

Ash Meadows Gumweed can be propagated through seeds, division of roots. Similar propagation techniques also apply to ciliate gumweed plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Ash Meadows Gumweed is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, 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.

Ash Meadows Gumweed grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Ash Meadows Gumweed is native to the southwestern United States, in Mojave Desert regions in Nye County in Nevada and Inyo County in California. In cooler regions, grow Ash Meadows Gumweed as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.