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common dandelion

common dandelion

Taraxacum officinale

perennial☀️ full sun💧 low waterZone 3aZone 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
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

Notable Cultivars

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