
Photo: Bruce MarlinCC BY-SA 2.5via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Yellow Hawkweed Plant Care
Pilosella floribunda (Wimm. & Grab.) Fr.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Pilosella floribunda (synonym Hieracium floribundum, also known as pale hawkweed, smoothish hawkweed, yellow hawkweed, and yellow devil hawkweed) is a species of noxious and herbaceous perennial plant from family Asteraceae that is known in Europe (particularly France) and can also be found in United States and Canada. It was believed that it was a hybrid of Pilosella caespitosa (Hieracium caespitosum and Pilosella lactucella (Hieracium lactucella).
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to part shade
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Yellow Hawkweed?
Plant Yellow Hawkweed in full sun to part shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Yellow Hawkweed Native To?
What Is the Yellow Hawkweed?
Yellow Hawkweed (Pilosella floribunda) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Pilosella genus. Yellow Hawkweed is native to United States and Canada. Yellow Hawkweed is also known as Woodland Hawkweed, Hieracium ambiguum, Hieracium apatorium.
Yellow Hawkweed displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Yellow Hawkweed produces small yellow daisy-like flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Yellow Hawkweed?
Water a young or newly planted Yellow Hawkweed every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Yellow Hawkweed Need?
Yellow Hawkweed thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Yellow Hawkweed Prefer?
Pilosella floribunda tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Yellow Hawkweed prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Yellow Hawkweed?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with some organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Yellow Hawkweed to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Yellow Hawkweed?
Feed Yellow Hawkweed 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 Yellow Hawkweed?
Choose a spot with full sun to part shade and well-draining sandy soil mix with some organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Yellow Hawkweed 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 Yellow Hawkweed?
Yellow Hawkweed can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 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 Yellow Hawkweed?
Prune Yellow Hawkweed 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 Yellow Hawkweed in Winter?
Yellow Hawkweed 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 Yellow Hawkweed?
Yellow Hawkweed can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to chlorocrepis albiflora plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Yellow Hawkweed Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Yellow Hawkweed, 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 Yellow Hawkweed?
Yellow Hawkweed is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, slugs. 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 Yellow Hawkweed Need?
Yellow Hawkweed grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Yellow Hawkweed is native to United States and Canada. In cooler regions, grow Yellow Hawkweed as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Yellow Hawkweed 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 Pilosella genus — compare its care with other Pilosella species on PlantoScan.
Pilosella is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Yellow Hawkweed thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Pilosella Species
Other Pilosella species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Pilosella floribunda (Wimm. & Grab.) Fr., family Asteraceae (first published in Exsicc. (Hier. Eur.) 1862: Pilosella n.° 17 (1862)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Yellow Hawkweed, 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: Bruce Marlin, CC BY-SA 2.5, 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.
