Photo: Frank Mayfield from Chicago area, USACC BY-SA 2.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Prairie Dock Plant Care
Silphium terebinthinaceum Jacq.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Silphium terebinthinaceum is a member of the Asteraceae, a family that includes sunflowers, commonly referred to as prairie dock or prairie rosinweed. "Rosinweed" became one of the plant's common names due to the fact that upon injury, resin flows from the wound, giving the plant a sweet smell. Tea brewed from the roots of the prairie dock have a variety of medical applications in Native American culture. The smoke from this plant has also been used as a treatment for congestion and rheumatism.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Prairie Dock?
Water Prairie Dock every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Prairie Dock Native To?
What Is the Prairie Dock?
Prairie Dock (Silphium terebinthinaceum) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Silphium genus. Prairie Dock is native to central and eastern North America. Prairie Dock is also known as Turpentine Plant, Silphium rumicifolium, Silphium terebinthinaceum.
Prairie Dock displays a tall, upright perennial growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Prairie Dock produces large yellow composite flowers in late summer.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Prairie Dock?
Silphium terebinthinaceum requires watering every 7–14 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 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Prairie Dock Need?
Prairie Dock thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Prairie Dock Prefer?
Silphium terebinthinaceum grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Prairie Dock prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Prairie Dock?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Prairie Dock to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Prairie Dock?
Feed Prairie Dock 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 Prairie Dock?
Repot every 3-4 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 Prairie Dock?
Prairie Dock can be propagated through seeds, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to compass plant plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Prairie Dock Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Prairie Dock, 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 Prairie Dock?
Prairie Dock is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, 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 Prairie Dock Need?
Prairie Dock grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Prairie Dock is native to central and eastern North America. In cooler regions, grow Prairie Dock as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Prairie Dock 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 Silphium genus — compare its care with other Silphium species on PlantoScan.
Silphium is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Prairie Dock thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Silphium Species
Other Silphium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Silphium terebinthinaceum Jacq., family Asteraceae (first published in Hort. Bot. Vindob. 1: 16 (t. 43) (1770)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Prairie Dock, 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: Frank Mayfield from Chicago area, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Prairie Dock Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species