Photo: Agnes MonkelbaanCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Hooker's Inula Plant Care
Inula hookeri C.B.Clarke
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With its long, slender leaves covered in silvery hairs, this plant originates from the Himalayas and is a prized addition to any collector's garden due to its unique foliage. The distinctive silvery sheen of its leaves makes it stand out among other plants, making it a visually striking addition to any collection.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Hooker's Inula?
Water Hooker's Inula every 7–10 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 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Hooker's Inula?
Hooker's Inula (Inula hookeri) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Inula genus. Hooker's Inula is native to the Himalayas, India (Sikkim), Myanmar and China. Hooker's Inula is also known as Helenium hookeri.
Hooker's Inula displays an upright, bushy perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Hooker's Inula produces bright yellow daisy-like flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Hooker's Inula?
Inula hookeri requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Hooker's Inula Need?
Hooker's Inula thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Hooker's Inula Prefer?
Inula hookeri grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Hooker's Inula prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Hooker's Inula?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Hooker's Inula to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Hooker's Inula?
Feed Hooker's Inula 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 Hooker's Inula?
Repot every 2-3 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 Hooker's Inula?
Hooker's Inula can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball. Similar propagation techniques also apply to indian elecampane plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Hooker's Inula Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Hooker's Inula, 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 Hooker's Inula?
Hooker's Inula 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 Hooker's Inula Need?
Hooker's Inula grows outdoors in USDA Zone 4a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 4a. Hooker's Inula is native to the Himalayas, India (Sikkim), Myanmar and China.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 4a – 8b
Keep exploring plants
Hooker's Inula 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 Inula genus — compare its care with other Inula species on PlantoScan.
Inula is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Hooker's Inula thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Inula hookeri C.B.Clarke, family Asteraceae (first published in Compos. Ind. : 122 (1876)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Hooker's Inula, 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: Agnes Monkelbaan, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 4a – 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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