Arizona Mule's Ears Plant Care
Wyethia arizonica A.Gray
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Wyethia arizonica, the Arizona mule's ears, is a plant species native to Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. It grows in meadows in coniferous forests at elevations of 600–3,000 m (2,000–9,800 ft).
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Arizona Mule's Ears?
Water Arizona 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.
Where Is the Arizona Mule's Ears Native To?
What Is the Arizona Mule's Ears?
Arizona Mule's Ears (Wyethia arizonica) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Wyethia genus. Arizona Mule's Ears is native to Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. Arizona Mule's Ears is also known as Mule's Ears.
Arizona Mule's Ears displays a clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Arizona Mule's Ears produces bright yellow daisy-like flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Arizona Mule's Ears?
Wyethia arizonica 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 Arizona Mule's Ears Need?
Arizona Mule's Ears thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Arizona Mule's Ears Prefer?
Wyethia arizonica grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Arizona Mule's Ears prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Arizona Mule's Ears?
Well-draining sandy soil with some organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Arizona Mule's Ears to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Arizona Mule's Ears?
Feed Arizona 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 Arizona 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 Arizona Mule's Ears?
Arizona 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 Arizona Mule's Ears Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Arizona 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 Arizona Mule's Ears?
Arizona 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 Arizona Mule's Ears Need?
Arizona Mule's Ears grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Arizona Mule's Ears is native to Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. In cooler regions, grow Arizona Mule's Ears as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Arizona 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.
Arizona 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 arizonica A.Gray, family Asteraceae (first published in Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts viii. (1873) 655.) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Arizona 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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