More Information
| Botanical Name |
Eryngium yuccifolium |
| Seeds Per Pack |
50 |
| Life Cycle |
Perennial |
| Min. Time to Germinate |
5 Days |
| Max. Time to Germinate |
3 Months |
| 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 |
Indoors 6-8 weeks before last spring frost, Outdoors after all danger of spring frost is past, Outdoors in early spring, a month before the last spring frost |
| Growing Height |
36-48 in. (90-120 cm) |
| Plant Spacing |
15-18 in. (38-45 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 |
| Sun Exposure |
Full Sun |
| Danger |
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction |
| Bloom Color |
White/Near White |
| Bloom Time |
Late Summer/Early Fall, Mid-Summer |
| Foliage |
Herbaceous, Silver/Gray |
| Other Details |
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds |
| Soil pH Requirements |
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) |
| Propagation Methods |
By dividing the rootball, From seed; direct sow after last frost, From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall, From seed; sow indoors before last frost, From seed; stratify if sowing indoors, From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse |
| Seed Collecting |
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds |
Rattlesnake Master produces unique white bristly flowers. In the past, Rattlesnake Master was used medicinally by Native Americans as a diaphoretic and as a remedy for rattlesnake bites. James Adair, an 18th century Irish historian who lived and studied Native Americans for much of his life, recorded stories of warriors applying a preparation of this plant to their arms as protection from the ill effects of venom. More commonly, it was used to brew a medicinal tea. The roots have also been used to treat liver troubles.
