Photo: Jerzy OpiołaCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Alpine Hawkweed Plant Care
Hieracium alpinum Vill. ex Fr.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant features clusters of vibrant yellow flowers atop hairy stems, originating from the mountainous regions of Europe and Asia. Plant collectors are drawn to its unique appearance and ability to thrive in rocky alpine environments, making it a prized addition to any collection.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–70°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Alpine Hawkweed?
Water Alpine Hawkweed every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–70°F (10–21°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 2 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Alpine Hawkweed Native To?
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Greenland
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
What Is the Alpine Hawkweed?
Alpine Hawkweed (Hieracium alpinum) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Hieracium genus. Alpine Hawkweed is native to Europe, and has also been found in Greenland. Alpine Hawkweed is also known as Hieracium alpinum.
Alpine Hawkweed displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Alpine Hawkweed produces small yellow clustered flowers in flat-topped clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Alpine Hawkweed?
Hieracium alpinum requires watering every 7–14 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 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Alpine Hawkweed Need?
Alpine Hawkweed thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Alpine Hawkweed Prefer?
Hieracium alpinum grows best at temperatures of 50–70°F. Alpine Hawkweed prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–70°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Alpine Hawkweed?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Alpine Hawkweed to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Alpine Hawkweed?
Feed Alpine Hawkweed every 2 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 2 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 Alpine Hawkweed?
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 Alpine Hawkweed?
Alpine Hawkweed can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to white-flowered hawkweed plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Alpine Hawkweed Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Alpine Hawkweed, 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 Alpine Hawkweed?
Alpine Hawkweed is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, leaf miners. 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 Alpine Hawkweed Need?
Alpine Hawkweed grows outdoors in USDA Zone 2a – 6b. It survives winters down to planting zone 2a. Alpine Hawkweed is native to Europe, and has also been found in Greenland.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 2a – 6b
Keep exploring plants
Alpine Hawkweed 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 Hieracium genus — compare its care with other Hieracium species on PlantoScan.
Hieracium is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Alpine Hawkweed thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Hieracium Species
Other Hieracium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Hieracium alpinum Vill. ex Fr., family Asteraceae (first published in Symb. Hist. Hierac. 49. 1848) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Alpine Hawkweed, 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: Jerzy Opioła, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 2a – 6b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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.
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