Beaver Ragwort Plant Care
Packera castoreus (S.L.Welsh) Kartesz
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Packera castoreus is a rare species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common names Beaver Mountain groundsel and Beaver Mountain ragwort. It is endemic to Utah in the United States, where it occurs only in the Tushar Mountains.
Every 3–5 days
Partial to full shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Beaver Ragwort?
Plant Beaver Ragwort in partial to full shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 3–5 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Beaver Ragwort Native To?
What Is the Beaver Ragwort?
Beaver Ragwort (Packera castoreus) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Packera genus. Beaver Ragwort is native to Utah in the United States.
Beaver Ragwort displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Beaver Ragwort produces small yellow daisy-like flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Beaver Ragwort?
Water a young or newly planted Beaver 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.
Watering Frequency
Every 3–5 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Beaver Ragwort Need?
Beaver Ragwort thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Beaver Ragwort in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial to full shade
100–500 lux
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Beaver Ragwort Prefer?
Packera castoreus tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Beaver Ragwort prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Beaver Ragwort?
Moist, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Beaver Ragwort to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Beaver Ragwort?
Feed Beaver 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.
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 Beaver Ragwort?
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.
Beaver 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.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Beaver Ragwort?
Beaver 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.
How Do You Prune a Beaver Ragwort?
Prune Beaver 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.
How Do You Care for a Beaver Ragwort in Winter?
Beaver 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.
How Do You Propagate a Beaver Ragwort?
Beaver Ragwort can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to small-headed ragwort plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Beaver Ragwort Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
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 Beaver Ragwort?
Beaver 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Beaver Ragwort Need?
Beaver Ragwort grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Beaver Ragwort is native to Utah in the United States. In cooler regions, grow Beaver Ragwort as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Beaver Ragwort 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 Packera genus — compare its care with other Packera species on PlantoScan.
Packera is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Beaver Ragwort copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
More Packera Species
Other Packera species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Packera castoreus (S.L.Welsh) Kartesz, family Asteraceae (first published in Synth. N. Amer. Fl., nomencl. innov. Nomencl. Innov.: n.° 20 (1999)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Beaver Ragwort is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- 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.
