Photo: Johann Georg Sturm (Painter: Jacob Sturm )Public domainvia Wikimedia Commons
Wood Hawkweed Plant Care
Hieracium sylvaticum (L.) Gouan
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant is characterized by its serrated leaves that form a rosette shape at its base. Hieracium sylvaticum is native to Europe and Asia, known for its vibrant yellow flowers that bloom in the summer. Plant collectors are drawn to this species for its attractive foliage and showy blooms, making it a sought-after addition to any garden.
Every 3–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Wood Hawkweed?
Water Wood Hawkweed every 3–7 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 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
Where Is the Wood Hawkweed Native To?
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- 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
- Türkiye
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
What Is the Wood Hawkweed?
Wood Hawkweed (Hieracium sylvaticum) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Hieracium genus. Wood Hawkweed is native to Europe, Lebanon-Syria, and Turkey. Wood Hawkweed is also known as Hieracium sylvaticum.
Wood Hawkweed displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately . Wood Hawkweed produces small yellow clustered flowers in flat-topped clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Wood Hawkweed?
Hieracium sylvaticum requires watering every 3–7 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 3–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Wood Hawkweed Need?
Wood Hawkweed thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Wood Hawkweed Prefer?
Hieracium sylvaticum grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Wood Hawkweed prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Wood Hawkweed?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Wood Hawkweed to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Wood Hawkweed?
Feed Wood Hawkweed every month 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 month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Wood 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 Wood Hawkweed?
Wood 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 Wood Hawkweed Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Wood 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 Wood Hawkweed?
Wood 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 Wood Hawkweed Need?
Wood Hawkweed grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Wood Hawkweed is native to Europe, Lebanon-Syria, and Turkey.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 3a – 8b
Keep exploring plants
Wood 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.
Wood 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 sylvaticum (L.) Gouan, family Asteraceae (first published in Ill. Observ. Bot. 56. 1773 [Jan-May 1773]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Wood 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: Johann Georg Sturm (Painter: Jacob Sturm ), Public domain, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 3a – 8b, 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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