Photo: StemonitisCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Oxtongue Plant Care
Picris echioides L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With its deeply lobed and spiny leaves reminiscent of a hedgehog, this plant originates from Europe and Asia. Plant collectors are drawn to Picris echioides for its unique appearance and the striking contrast it adds to a garden or collection.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Oxtongue?
Water Oxtongue 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.
Where Is the Oxtongue Native To?
- Albania
- Algeria
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Egypt
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Libya
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Tunisia
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
What Is the Oxtongue?
Oxtongue (Picris echioides) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Picris genus. Oxtongue is native to Europe and North Africa. Oxtongue is also known as Bristly Ox-tongue, Hawkweed, Picris echioides.
Oxtongue displays an upright, branching perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Oxtongue produces small yellow composite flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Oxtongue?
Picris echioides 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 Oxtongue Need?
Oxtongue thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Oxtongue Prefer?
Picris echioides grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Oxtongue prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Oxtongue?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Oxtongue to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Oxtongue?
Feed Oxtongue 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 Oxtongue?
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 Oxtongue?
Oxtongue can be propagated through seeds, division of root clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to white ox tongue plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Oxtongue Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Oxtongue, 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 Oxtongue?
Oxtongue is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, leaf miners. 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 Oxtongue Need?
Oxtongue grows outdoors in USDA Zone 6a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 6a. Oxtongue is native to Europe and North Africa.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 6a – 10b
Keep exploring plants
Oxtongue 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 Picris genus — compare its care with other Picris species on PlantoScan.
Picris is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Oxtongue 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: Picris echioides L., family Asteraceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 792 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Oxtongue, 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: Stemonitis, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 6a – 10b, 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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