Photo: giantcicadaCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Oregon Woolly Sunflower Plant Care
Psilocarphus oregonus Nutt.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With its delicate, feathery leaves and vibrant yellow flowers, this plant originates from the coastal regions of California and Oregon. Plant collectors are drawn to Psilocarphus oregonus for its unique appearance and ability to thrive in sandy, well-drained soils.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Oregon Woolly Sunflower?
Plant Oregon Woolly Sunflower in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 6a–10b) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Oregon Woolly Sunflower Native To?
What Is the Oregon Woolly Sunflower?
Oregon Woolly Sunflower (Psilocarphus oregonus) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Psilocarphus genus. Oregon Woolly Sunflower is native to western North America from Washington and Idaho to Baja California. Oregon Woolly Sunflower is also known as Woolly Sunflower.
Oregon Woolly Sunflower displays a low-growing mat-forming growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Oregon Woolly Sunflower produces small white or yellow daisy-like flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 1.5 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Oregon Woolly Sunflower?
Water a young or newly planted Oregon Woolly Sunflower 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 Oregon Woolly Sunflower Need?
Oregon Woolly Sunflower thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Oregon Woolly Sunflower Prefer?
Psilocarphus oregonus tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Oregon Woolly Sunflower prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Oregon Woolly Sunflower?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Oregon Woolly Sunflower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Oregon Woolly Sunflower?
Feed Oregon Woolly Sunflower 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 Oregon Woolly Sunflower?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Oregon Woolly Sunflower is suited to USDA Zone 6a – 10b.
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 Oregon Woolly Sunflower?
Oregon Woolly Sunflower 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 Oregon Woolly Sunflower?
Prune Oregon Woolly Sunflower 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 Oregon Woolly Sunflower in Winter?
Oregon Woolly Sunflower is hardy down to USDA zone 6a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.
Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.
Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.
How Do You Propagate a Oregon Woolly Sunflower?
Oregon Woolly Sunflower can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to micropus brevissimus plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Oregon Woolly Sunflower Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Oregon Woolly Sunflower, 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 Oregon Woolly Sunflower?
Oregon Woolly Sunflower is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, spider mites. 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 Oregon Woolly Sunflower Need?
Oregon Woolly Sunflower grows outdoors in USDA Zone 6a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 6a. Oregon Woolly Sunflower is native to western North America from Washington and Idaho to Baja California.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 6a – 10b
Keep exploring plants
Oregon Woolly Sunflower 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 Psilocarphus genus — compare its care with other Psilocarphus species on PlantoScan.
Psilocarphus is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Oregon Woolly Sunflower 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: Psilocarphus oregonus Nutt., family Asteraceae (first published in Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc. , ser. 2, 7: 341 (1840)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Oregon Woolly Sunflower, 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: giantcicada, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — 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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