Mule's Ears Plant Care
Wyethia amplexicaulis (Nutt.) Nutt.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Wyethia amplexicaulis is a common herbaceous perennial plant from the northwestern United States called northern wyethia, northern mule ears, or black sunflower.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Mule's Ears?
Water Mule's Ears 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 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Mule's Ears?
Mule's Ears (Wyethia amplexicaulis) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Wyethia genus. Mule's Ears is also known as California Mule's Ears.
Mule's Ears displays a clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Mule's Ears produces bright yellow daisy-like flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Mule's Ears?
Wyethia amplexicaulis 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 Mule's Ears Need?
Mule's Ears thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Mule's Ears Prefer?
Wyethia amplexicaulis grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Mule's Ears prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Mule's Ears?
Well-draining sandy soil with some organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Mule's Ears to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Mule's Ears?
Feed Mule's Ears 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 Mule's Ears?
Repot every 2-3 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 Mule's Ears?
Mule's Ears can be propagated through seeds, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to mule's fat plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Mule's Ears Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Mule's Ears, 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 Mule's Ears?
Mule's Ears is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, powdery mildew. 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 Mule's Ears Need?
Mule's Ears grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Mule's Ears as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Mule's Ears 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 Wyethia genus — compare its care with other Wyethia species on PlantoScan.
Wyethia is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Mule's Ears 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: Wyethia amplexicaulis (Nutt.) Nutt., family Asteraceae (first published in Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc. , ser. 2, 7: 352 (1840)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Mule's Ears, 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 12a, 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.
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