Common Boneset
Eupatorium perfoliatum
Also listed as Eupatorium chapmanii, Cunigunda perfoliata
Also known as Boneset, Thoroughwort, Perfoliate Thoroughwort
Climate Match for your location
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A native wildflower with distinctive perfoliate (pierced) leaves and flat-topped clusters of small white or pale pink flowers. Historically valued for herbal remedies and now popular for wetland gardens and pollinator support.
Why grow it
Common boneset thrives in consistently moist to wet soils where many ornamental perennials struggle, making it a practical choice for rain gardens, bioswales, and natural wetland restoration. Unlike some moisture-loving natives that require afternoon shade, boneset performs well in full sun to part shade, offering flexibility in site placement. Its late-summer flowering extends the pollinator season after many spring bloomers have faded, and it typically requires minimal maintenance once established in appropriate conditions.
Watch out for
Boneset prefers consistently moist to wet soil and may struggle in dry conditions without supplemental watering during establishment. It spreads vigorously through both seed and rhizomes, so plan for self-seeding in favorable sites or contain it if space is limited. The plant can take a season or two to establish a strong root system before flowering prolifically.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A native wildflower with distinctive perfoliate (pierced) leaves and flat-topped clusters of small white or pale pink flowers. Historically valued for herbal remedies and now popular for wetland gardens and pollinator support.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Common Boneset grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Common boneset thrives in consistently moist to wet soils where many ornamental perennials struggle, making it a practical choice for rain gardens, bioswales, and natural wetland restoration. Unlike some moisture-loving natives that require afternoon shade, boneset performs well in full sun to part shade, offering flexibility in site placement. Its late-summer flowering extends the pollinator season after many spring bloomers have faded, and it typically requires minimal maintenance once established in appropriate conditions.
Watch out for
Boneset prefers consistently moist to wet soil and may struggle in dry conditions without supplemental watering during establishment. It spreads vigorously through both seed and rhizomes, so plan for self-seeding in favorable sites or contain it if space is limited. The plant can take a season or two to establish a strong root system before flowering prolifically.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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