Bald Mountain Ragwort Plant Care

Bald Mountain Ragwort (Packera cana) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Packera genus. Bald Mountain Ragwort is native to western and central North America. Bald Mountain Ragwort is also known as Woolly Ragwort, Mountain Ragwort, Packera cana.

Bald Mountain Ragwort displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Bald Mountain Ragwort produces small yellow daisy-like flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Bald Mountain Ragwort every 3–5 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.

Bald Mountain Ragwort thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Bald Mountain Ragwort in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Packera cana tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Bald Mountain Ragwort prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Moist, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Bald Mountain Ragwort to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Bald Mountain Ragwort 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.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with partial to full shade and moist, well-draining soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Bald Mountain Ragwort 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.

Bald Mountain Ragwort can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 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.

Prune Bald Mountain Ragwort 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.

Bald Mountain Ragwort 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.

Bald Mountain Ragwort can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to small-headed ragwort plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Bald Mountain Ragwort 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.

Bald Mountain Ragwort grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Bald Mountain Ragwort is native to western and central North America. In cooler regions, grow Bald Mountain Ragwort as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.