False Hawkweed Plant Care

False Hawkweed (Reichardia picroides) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Reichardia genus. False Hawkweed is native to the Mediterranean and western Asia. False Hawkweed is also known as Mediterranean Rocket, Picridium crassifolium, Picridium intermedium var. gracile.

False Hawkweed displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. False Hawkweed produces small yellow daisy-like flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted False 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.

False Hawkweed thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Reichardia picroides tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. False Hawkweed prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining sandy soil mix with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for False Hawkweed to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed False 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.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil mix with good organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

False Hawkweed is suited to USDA Zone 8a – 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.

False 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.

Prune False 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.

False Hawkweed is hardy down to USDA zone 8a, 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.

False Hawkweed can be propagated through seeds, division of root clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to false dandelion plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

False Hawkweed 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.

False Hawkweed grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. False Hawkweed is native to the Mediterranean and western Asia.