Photo: FritzflohrreynoldsCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Southern Crownbeard Plant Care
Verbesina occidentalis Walter
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Verbesina occidentalis is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. The common names for Verbesina occidentalis are yellow crownbeard and stick weed. Verbesina occidentalis is often considered a weedy plant of disturbed areas, due its presence in managed agricultural areas such as hayfields.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
65–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Southern Crownbeard?
Water Southern Crownbeard 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.
What Is the Southern Crownbeard?
Southern Crownbeard (Verbesina occidentalis) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Verbesina genus. Southern Crownbeard is also known as Yellow Crownbeard, Sigesbeckia occidentalis, Phaethusa occidentalis.
Southern Crownbeard displays a tall upright perennial growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Southern Crownbeard produces small daisy-like yellow flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Southern Crownbeard?
Verbesina occidentalis 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 Southern Crownbeard Need?
Southern Crownbeard thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Southern Crownbeard Prefer?
Verbesina occidentalis grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Southern Crownbeard prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
65–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Southern Crownbeard?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Southern Crownbeard to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Southern Crownbeard?
Feed Southern Crownbeard 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 Southern Crownbeard?
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 Southern Crownbeard?
Southern Crownbeard can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to crownbeard plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Southern Crownbeard Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Southern Crownbeard, 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 Southern Crownbeard?
Southern Crownbeard 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 Southern Crownbeard Need?
Southern Crownbeard grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. In cooler regions, grow Southern Crownbeard as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Southern Crownbeard 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.
Southern Crownbeard thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Verbesina Species
Other Verbesina species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Verbesina occidentalis Walter, family Asteraceae (first published in Fl. Carol. : 213 (1788)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Southern Crownbeard, 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: Fritzflohrreynolds, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Southern Crownbeard 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