Smooth Mule-ear Plant Care
Wyethia glabra A.Gray
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Wyethia glabra is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common name Coast Range mule's ears. It is endemic to California, where it grows in the North and Central Coast Ranges.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Smooth Mule-ear?
Water Smooth Mule-ear 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 Smooth Mule-ear Native To?
What Is the Smooth Mule-ear?
Smooth Mule-ear (Wyethia glabra) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Wyethia genus. Smooth Mule-ear is native to California. Smooth Mule-ear is also known as Glabra Mule-ear.
Smooth Mule-ear displays a clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Smooth Mule-ear produces bright yellow daisy-like flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Smooth Mule-ear?
Wyethia glabra 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 Smooth Mule-ear Need?
Smooth Mule-ear thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Smooth Mule-ear Prefer?
Wyethia glabra grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Smooth Mule-ear prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Smooth Mule-ear?
Well-draining sandy soil with some organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Smooth Mule-ear to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Smooth Mule-ear?
Feed Smooth Mule-ear 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 Smooth Mule-ear?
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 Smooth Mule-ear?
Smooth Mule-ear 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 Smooth Mule-ear Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Smooth Mule-ear, 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 Smooth Mule-ear?
Smooth Mule-ear 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 Smooth Mule-ear Need?
Smooth Mule-ear grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Smooth Mule-ear is native to California. In cooler regions, grow Smooth Mule-ear as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Smooth Mule-ear 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.
Smooth Mule-ear 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 glabra A.Gray, family Asteraceae (first published in Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts vi. (1865) 543.) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Smooth Mule-ear, 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Smooth Mule-ear 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