Photo: Clements, Edith Gertrude (Schwartz); Clements, Frederic E.Public domainvia Wikimedia Commons
Rocky Mountain Wild Parsley Plant Care
Pericome caudata A.Gray
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Pericome caudata is a species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common name mountain tail-leaf. It is native to the southwestern United States as far east as Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas, as well as northern Mexico, where it grows in rocky habitat, often in hills and mountains, and sometimes in disturbed areas. It is a large, branching, leafy perennial herb or subshrub approaching 2 meters in maximum height. It is glandular, resinous, sparsely hairy, and aromatic. The leaves are somewhat triangular, sometimes with a few large teeth or sharp lobes, the blade measuring up to 12 centimeters long and borne on a petiole. The leaf size and shape is variable across the species' range. The inflorescence is a cluster of many flower heads each under a centimeter wide and filled with golden yellow disc florets. The Navajo used this plant for a variety of medicinal and ceremonial purposes.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Rocky Mountain Wild Parsley?
Water Rocky Mountain Wild Parsley 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 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Rocky Mountain Wild Parsley?
Rocky Mountain Wild Parsley (Pericome caudata) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Pericome genus. Rocky Mountain Wild Parsley is also known as Skunkbush, Pericome caudata, Pericome glandulosa.
Rocky Mountain Wild Parsley displays a compact, mounding perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Rocky Mountain Wild Parsley produces small daisy-like flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Rocky Mountain Wild Parsley?
Pericome caudata 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 Rocky Mountain Wild Parsley Need?
Rocky Mountain Wild Parsley thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Rocky Mountain Wild Parsley Prefer?
Pericome caudata grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Rocky Mountain Wild Parsley prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Rocky Mountain Wild Parsley?
Well-draining, loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Rocky Mountain Wild Parsley to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Rocky Mountain Wild Parsley?
Feed Rocky Mountain Wild Parsley 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 Rocky Mountain Wild Parsley?
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 Rocky Mountain Wild Parsley?
Rocky Mountain Wild Parsley can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball.
Is the Rocky Mountain Wild Parsley Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Rocky Mountain Wild Parsley, 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 Rocky Mountain Wild Parsley?
Rocky Mountain Wild Parsley 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 Rocky Mountain Wild Parsley Need?
Rocky Mountain Wild Parsley grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Rocky Mountain Wild Parsley as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Rocky Mountain Wild Parsley 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 Pericome genus — compare its care with other Pericome species on PlantoScan.
Pericome is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Rocky Mountain Wild Parsley 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: Pericome caudata A.Gray, family Asteraceae (first published in Smithsonian Contr. Knowl. 5(6): 82 (1853)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Rocky Mountain Wild Parsley, 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: Clements, Edith Gertrude (Schwartz); Clements, Frederic E., Public domain, 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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