Woolly Hogweed Plant Care
Heracleum lanatum ( ex Michx.) Michx.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Heracleum maximum, commonly known as cow parsnip, is the only member of the genus Heracleum native to North America. It is also known as American cow-parsnip, Satan celery, Indian celery, Indian rhubarb, poison turnip or pushki.
Every 4–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Woolly Hogweed?
Water Woolly Hogweed every 4–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Woolly Hogweed Native To?
What Is the Woolly Hogweed?
Woolly Hogweed (Heracleum lanatum) belongs to the Apiaceae family within the Heracleum genus. Woolly Hogweed is native to North America. Woolly Hogweed is also known as American Cow Parsnip, Common Hogweed.
Woolly Hogweed displays a tall, robust herbaceous perennial growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Woolly Hogweed produces large umbels of white or greenish flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Woolly Hogweed?
Heracleum lanatum requires watering every 4–7 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 4–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Woolly Hogweed Need?
Woolly Hogweed thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Woolly Hogweed Prefer?
Heracleum lanatum grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Woolly Hogweed prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Woolly Hogweed?
Rich, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Woolly Hogweed to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Woolly Hogweed?
Feed Woolly Hogweed 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 Woolly Hogweed?
Repot every 1-2 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 Woolly Hogweed?
Woolly Hogweed can be propagated through seeds, root division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to austrian hogweed plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Woolly Hogweed Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Woolly Hogweed, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
Potential skin irritation from contact with sap
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 Woolly Hogweed?
Woolly Hogweed is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Woolly Hogweed Need?
Woolly Hogweed grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Woolly Hogweed is native to North America. In cooler regions, grow Woolly Hogweed as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Woolly Hogweed 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 Heracleum genus — compare its care with other Heracleum species on PlantoScan.
Heracleum is part of the Apiaceae plant family — browse all Apiaceae genera and species.
Woolly Hogweed thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Heracleum Species
Other Heracleum species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Heracleum lanatum ( ex Michx.) Michx., family Apiaceae (first published in Fl. Bor.-Amer. (Michaux) vol. 1: 166. 1803 [19 Mar 1803]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Woolly Hogweed, 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Woolly Hogweed Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species