Botanical profile

Elecampane

Latin name
Inula helenium
Common name
Elecampane
Type
Herbaceous medicinal perennial
Family
Asteraceae

Elecampane is a tall, perennial medicinal plant with a rustic charm, prized for its robust habit, broad foliage, and bright yellow flowers reminiscent of a wild daisy. It quickly adds height, volume, and a natural effect to perennial borders, medicinal plant gardens, naturalized landscapes, and meadow-style spaces. Its decorative flowers attract pollinators and add a beautiful sunny touch to the garden during the summer.

Easy to grow, elecampane prefers a sunny to slightly partially shaded location, in rich, cool, deep, and well-drained soil. It appreciates soils that retain some moisture, especially during hot periods, and can become an imposing plant once established. It is best to reserve enough space for it at the back of a border, near a fence, in a medicinal garden, or in a natural setting where its vertical silhouette can fully develop.

Traditionally recognized as a medicinal plant, elecampane is also cultivated for its spectacular presence, wild appearance, and high ornamental value. Its broad foliage creates a beautiful contrast with grasses, yarrows, coneflowers, bee balms, and other sun-loving perennials. It is an ideal plant for adding a botanical, rustic, and pollinator-friendly dimension to the garden, while enriching spaces dedicated to aromatic, medicinal, and natural plants.

Care guide

Care level
Easy

Choosing this plant

Main benefit
Large medicinal perennial with very bright yellow flowers
Shrub bed background, medicinal garden, natural garden, wildflower meadow
Container growing
Container growing is only possible in a very large, deep container
Seasonal care
Cut back dead stalks in fall or spring; stake as needed in rich soil or windy sites
Growing conditions

Light, soil, water and hardiness

Hardiness zone
3 to 8
Exposure
Full sun to partial shade
Watering
Moderate, well-drained soil
Humidity
Average humidity; prefers cool but well-drained soil
Fertilization
Compost in spring; light fertilization in poor soil
Soil type
Fertile, deep, cool, and well-drained soil
Soil pH
Slightly acidic to neutral
Minimum temperature
-30°C
Propagation method
Sowing or division
Plant appearance

Blooming, foliage and shape

Blooming period
Summer to early fall
Flower color
YELLOW
Foliage color
Green
Foliage type
Obsolete
Shape
Large, upright clump with abundant foliage
Garden structure

Size and growth

Height
1.5 to 2 m (5 to 6 feet)
Width
60 to 90 cm (24 to 36 inches)
Growth rate
Rapid growth
Vegetable garden and yield

Companion planting, spacing and harvest

Companion plants
Coneflowers, yarrows, bee balms, ornamental grasses
Plants to avoid
Avoid near low plants that could shade them
Spacing
60 to 90 cm (24 to 36 inches)
Harvest period
Roots in autumn after 2 to 3 years
Not recommended for pets
Not recommended for pets

Pets

Butterflies
Plants that attract butterflies

Butterflies

The availability of our plants varies depending on arrivals, seasons, nursery production and supplier availability. Some varieties may be offered for a limited time only, depending on their natural cycle or current stock. These plant profiles are designed to guide and inspire you when choosing plants for the garden, landscaping projects, containers or long-lasting outdoor arrangements.