Orange sneezeweed (Hymenoxys hoopesii)

Photo: JerryFriedmanCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped

Orange sneezeweed Plant Care

Hymenoxys hoopesii (A.Gray) Bierner

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Hymenoxys hoopesii (formerly Dugaldia hoopesii) is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family known by the common names owl's claws, orange sneezeweed, and yerba del lobo. It is native to the western United States, where it grows in habitats of moderate elevation, such as mountain meadows in the Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevada, southern Cascades, and other ranges. It has been found from Arizona, New Mexico, and central California north as far as Montana and Oregon.

🌱Herbs🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–80°F

Humidity

30–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Orange sneezeweed?

Plant Orange sneezeweed in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Orange sneezeweed Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Orange sneezeweed?

Orange sneezeweed (Hymenoxys hoopesii) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Hymenoxys genus. Orange sneezeweed is native to the western United States. Orange sneezeweed is also known as Hoopes' rubberweed, Alpine rubberweed, Dugaldia hoopesii.

Orange sneezeweed displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Orange sneezeweed produces daisy-like yellow flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Orange sneezeweed?

Water a young or newly planted Orange sneezeweed 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.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Orange sneezeweed Need?

Orange sneezeweed thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Orange sneezeweed Prefer?

Hymenoxys hoopesii tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Orange sneezeweed prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.

Temperature

50–80°F

Humidity

30–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Orange sneezeweed?

Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Orange sneezeweed to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Orange sneezeweed?

Feed Orange sneezeweed 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 Orange sneezeweed?

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

Orange sneezeweed 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.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Orange sneezeweed?

Orange sneezeweed can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 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 Orange sneezeweed?

Prune Orange sneezeweed 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 Orange sneezeweed in Winter?

Orange sneezeweed 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.

How Do You Propagate a Orange sneezeweed?

Orange sneezeweed can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to bigelow's rubberweed plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Orange sneezeweed Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Orange sneezeweed, 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 Orange sneezeweed?

Orange sneezeweed 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 Orange sneezeweed Need?

Orange sneezeweed grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Orange sneezeweed is native to the western United States. In cooler regions, grow Orange sneezeweed as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Orange sneezeweed 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 Hymenoxys genus — compare its care with other Hymenoxys species on PlantoScan.

Hymenoxys is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.

Orange sneezeweed thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Hymenoxys Species

Other Hymenoxys species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Hymenoxys hoopesii (A.Gray) Bierner, family Asteraceae (first published in Sida 16(1): 6 (1994)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Orange sneezeweed, 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: JerryFriedman, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, 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.

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