Actinomeris alternifolia Plant Care

Verbesina alternifolia (L.) Britton ex Kearney

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Verbesina alternifolia is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is commonly known as wingstem or yellow ironweed. It is native to North America.

🌱Herbs🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

65–80°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Actinomeris alternifolia?

Water Actinomeris alternifolia every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Actinomeris alternifolia Native To?

Native range3 countries

What Is the Actinomeris alternifolia?

Actinomeris alternifolia (Verbesina alternifolia) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Verbesina genus. Actinomeris alternifolia is native to North America. Actinomeris alternifolia is also known as Actinomeris oppositifolia, Actinomeris procera, Actinomeris squarrosa.

Actinomeris alternifolia displays a tall upright perennial growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Actinomeris alternifolia produces small daisy-like yellow flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Actinomeris alternifolia?

Verbesina alternifolia requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days

Let soil partially dry between waterings

What Light Does the Actinomeris alternifolia Need?

Actinomeris alternifolia thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Actinomeris alternifolia Prefer?

Verbesina alternifolia grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Actinomeris alternifolia prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

65–80°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Actinomeris alternifolia?

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Actinomeris alternifolia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Actinomeris alternifolia?

Feed Actinomeris alternifolia 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 Actinomeris alternifolia?

Repot every 1-2 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 Actinomeris alternifolia?

Actinomeris alternifolia can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.

Is the Actinomeris alternifolia Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Actinomeris alternifolia, 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 Actinomeris alternifolia?

Actinomeris alternifolia 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.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Actinomeris alternifolia Need?

Actinomeris alternifolia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Actinomeris alternifolia is native to North America. In cooler regions, grow Actinomeris alternifolia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13b

Keep exploring plants

Actinomeris alternifolia 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 Verbesina genus — compare its care with other Verbesina species on PlantoScan.

Verbesina is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.

Actinomeris alternifolia 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: Verbesina alternifolia (L.) Britton ex Kearney, family Asteraceae (first published in Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 20(12): 485 (1893)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Actinomeris alternifolia, 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.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, 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.

PlantoScan app icon

Identify Plants Like the
Actinomeris alternifolia 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.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Free

to download

iOS & Android

platforms

Light & dark

mode

100,000+

species