More Information
| Botanical Name |
Taraxacum officinale |
| Seeds Per Pack |
200 |
| Life Cycle |
Perennial |
| Min. Time to Germinate |
7 Days |
| Max. Time to Germinate |
21 Days |
| Depth to Sow Seeds |
Surface Sow; press seeds gently into the soil to make good contact, but do not cover with any additional soil; these seeds require light to germinate |
| When to Sow |
Outdoors after all danger of spring frost is past, Outdoors in early spring, a month before the last spring frost, Early Fall, Late Fall |
| Growing Height |
6-12 in. (15-30 cm) |
| Plant Spacing |
6-9 in. (15-22 cm) |
| Hardiness |
USDA Zone 3a: to -35F, USDA Zone 3b: to -30F, USDA Zone 4a: to -25F, USDA Zone 4b: to -20F, USDA Zone 5a: to -15F, USDA Zone 5b: to -10F, USDA Zone 6a: to -5F, USDA Zone 6b: to 0F, USDA Zone 7a: to 5F, USDA Zone 7b: to 10F, USDA Zone 8a: to 15F, USDA Zone 8b: to 20F, USDA Zone 9a: to 25F, USDA Zone 9b: to 30F, USDA Zone 10a: to 35F, USDA Zone 10b: to 40F |
| Sun Exposure |
Full Sun |
| Danger |
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction |
| Bloom Color |
Bright Yellow |
| Bloom Time |
Late Spring/Early Summer, Late Summer/Early Fall, Mid-Summer |
| Other Details |
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds |
| Soil pH Requirements |
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic), 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral), 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline), 7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline) |
| Days to Harvest |
90-100 |
| Propagation Methods |
Direct sow as soon as the ground can be worked, From seed; direct sow after last frost, From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall |
| Seed Collecting |
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds, Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed |
Also known as Lion's Tooth, Bitterwort, Fortune-Teller, and Puffball. The young leaves of dandelions are used in salads, egg dishes, or sautéed, and roots are roasted for a coffee substitute. They have a complex, bitter yet sweet flavor. Leaves should be picked before the plants bloom. Dandelions are also a gentle liver tonic and diuretic.
