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common dandelion

common dandelion

Taraxacum officinale

herbaceous☀️ full sun💧 low waterZone 3a – Zone 10b

A common herbaceous perennial with bright yellow flowers and deeply lobed leaves, followed by distinctive seed heads. Highly adaptable and prolific, often considered a weed in lawns and gardens.

Overview

Form
Spreading
Growth Rate
fast
Size
0.25–0.5′ tall × 0.5–2′ wide
Dormancy
deciduous

Tolerances & Soil

moderate

Flood Tolerance

none
Zone 3aZone 10b
1471013
ColderWarmer
Zone range: Zone 3a to Zone 10b

pH Range

4.87.5
7.0
3.556.589
pH range: 4.8 to 7.5

Soil Texture

Coarse, Medium, Fine

Seasonality

Bloom Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Harvest Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Season of Interest

SpringSummer

Herb

Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.

Succession Role

pioneerearly successional

Native Range

Eurasian

Function & Care

biomass/mulchdynamic accumulatoredibleerosion controlmedicinalnitrogen fixerpollinator nectarywildlife benefit

Edible Parts

leafrootflower

Establishment & Care

Establishment
easy
Maintenance
low
Years to Bearing
1 years
Propagation
seed, root cutting

Companion Planting

Plants well with

1
Ttomato

tomato

Solanum lycopersicum

Dandelion's deep taproot brings up minerals and nutrients that accumulate in fallen leaves, benefiting nearby tomato plants.

Avoid near

Notable Cultivars

Common wild dandelion (Taraxacum officinale subsp. officinale) dominates; improved culinary cultivars like 'Améliioré' and 'Pissenlit' are bred for larger, less bitter leaves.