Red-seeded dandelion Plant Care

Red-seeded dandelion (Taraxacum rubicundum) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Taraxacum genus. Red-seeded dandelion is native to western, southern, and northern Europe. Red-seeded dandelion is also known as Crimson-flowered dandelion.

Red-seeded dandelion displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Red-seeded dandelion produces bright yellow composite flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Red-seeded dandelion every 3–5 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.

Red-seeded dandelion thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Taraxacum rubicundum tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Red-seeded dandelion prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining, loamy soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Red-seeded dandelion to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Red-seeded dandelion every 2 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, loamy soil with good organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Red-seeded dandelion is suited to USDA Zone 4a – 8b.

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.

Red-seeded dandelion can spread to about 1 ft (0.2 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.2 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 Red-seeded dandelion 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.

Red-seeded dandelion is hardy down to USDA zone 4a, 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.

Red-seeded dandelion can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to taraxacum albiflorum plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Red-seeded dandelion is susceptible to aphids, flea beetles, leafhoppers. 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.

Red-seeded dandelion grows outdoors in USDA Zone 4a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 4a. Red-seeded dandelion is native to western, southern, and northern Europe.