Wyethia helenioides
🌸flower (5)
🍎fruit (2)
🌿habit (5)

Wyethia helenioides

Gray mule ears · Whitehead mule-ears · White-head mule's-ears

Tier 2 Difficulty: medium Water: low Light: full_sun
Temperature
5–35 °C
Soil pH
6–7
Hardiness
Zone 5–9
Click count
60
Observations
54

Description

Source: leafsnap

Wyethia helenioides is a species of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae commonly referred to as gray mule's ears or whitehead mule-ears.

Care Guide

💧 Water
☀️ Light Full sun

Whitehead mule's ears is a sun-loving, herbaceous perennial that originates in open habitats and often thrives in meadows and grasslands. It favors full sun but can also tolerate partial sun.

Ideal: Full sun
🌡️ Temperature 5–35°C

Whitehead mule's ears can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, but its distribution may still be restricted by different combinations of moisture and heat. It performs best in warm summer climates with sufficient rainfall or watering. Extended periods of cloudy, rainy weather or sustained high temperatures can raise the likelihood of Whitehead mule's ears dying. In winter, adequate protection from cold can increase the plant's survival rate.

Ideal temperature: 5–35°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 6-7
Soil pH: 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer

The best time to fertilize a Whitehead mule's ears is in early spring, as it comes out of dormancy and begins active growth. Fertilization supplies essential nutrients for healthy growth. While Whitehead mule's ears has relatively low fertilizer requirements, applying fertilizer annually can improve its survival and encourage better, longer-lasting flowers.

🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning

Whitehead mule's ears is a hardy perennial plant known for its bright yellow flowers. It requires minimal pruning, mainly to remove dead foliage in early spring. Regular deadheading encourages the plant to bloom for a longer period. Pruning also enhances airflow, reduces the risk of disease, and improves the plant's appearance. For specific care techniques, refer to trusted sources.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Herb
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Wyethia
Family
Asteraceae
Hardiness Zone
5-9
Mature Height
30 cm to 61 cm
Mature Spread
30 cm to 46 cm
Leaf Color
Green, Dark Green
Leaf Type
Deciduous
Flower Color
Yellow
Flower Size
5.08 cm to 6.35 cm
Bloom Time
Mid spring, Late spring
Planting Time
Spring, Summer, Autumn
Harvest Time
Early summer, Mid summer

Tags (6)

Common Names (3)

en Gray mule ears
en Whitehead mule-ears
en White-head mule's-ears