Golden Ragwort Plant Care

Packera pseudaurea (Rydb.) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Packera pseudaurea is a species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common name falsegold groundsel. It is native to North America, where it can be found in western and central parts of Canada and the United States.

🌱Herbs🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 3–5 days

Light

Partial to full shade

Temp

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Golden Ragwort?

Plant Golden 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 Golden Ragwort Native To?

Native range3 countries

What Is the Golden Ragwort?

Golden Ragwort (Packera pseudaurea) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Packera genus. Golden Ragwort is native to North America.

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

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Golden Ragwort?

Water a young or newly planted Golden 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 Golden Ragwort Need?

Golden Ragwort thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Golden 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 Golden Ragwort Prefer?

Packera pseudaurea tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Golden Ragwort prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Golden Ragwort?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Golden Ragwort?

Feed Golden 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 Golden 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.

Golden 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 Golden Ragwort?

Golden 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 Golden Ragwort?

Prune Golden 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 Golden Ragwort in Winter?

Golden 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 Golden Ragwort?

Golden 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 Golden 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 Golden Ragwort?

Golden 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 Golden Ragwort Need?

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

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Golden 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.

Golden 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 pseudaurea (Rydb.) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve, family Asteraceae (first published in Phytologia 49: 48 (1981)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Golden 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.

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