Botanical profile

Coltsfoot

Latin name
Tussilago farfara
Common name
Coltsfoot
Type
Rhizomatous herbaceous perennial
Family
Asteraceae

Coltsfoot is a perennial medicinal plant with a wild charm, known for its golden yellow blossoms that appear very early in the season, often before the foliage is fully developed. Its luminous flowers resemble small daisies and bring a natural touch to medicinal plant gardens, naturalized landscapes, and country-style spaces. Its large, rounded, slightly downy foliage becomes decorative after flowering, adding texture and volume to the garden.

Easy to grow, coltsfoot prefers a location in sun or partial shade, in fresh to moist, rather rich, and well-drained soil. It can adapt well to heavy soils or cooler areas of the land, making it an interesting plant for places where other more delicate perennials struggle to establish. As its growth can become vigorous when it thrives, it is best to integrate it into a naturalized or delimited space to better control its spread.

Traditionally recognized as a medicinal plant, coltsfoot is primarily cultivated for its botanical interest, early flowering, and natural appearance. Its flowers can attract the first active pollinators in spring, adding interesting ecological value to the garden. It is an ideal plant for gardeners looking for a hardy, original, and historically rich perennial, perfect for enhancing a medicinal garden or a wilder landscape.

Care guide

Care level
Moderate

Choosing this plant

Main benefit
Very early yellow flowering before the leaves appear
Natural garden, wetland, cool border, controlled pot culture, early pollinators
Container growing
Recommended for pot culture to control its spread
Seasonal care
Cut off faded flowers to limit self-seeding; control rhizomes; grow in containers if necessary; cut back damaged foliage as needed
Growing conditions

Light, soil, water and hardiness

Hardiness zone
Zone 3
Exposure
Sun to partial shade
Watering
Regular; keep the soil moist without waterlogging
Humidity
Average to high humidity; prefers cool to moist soil
Fertilization
Light compost in the spring; generally light fertilization
Soil type
Cool to moist, fertile to average, well-drained soil
Soil pH
Neutral to slightly alkaline
Minimum temperature
-30°C
Propagation method
Division of rhizomes or plantlets
Plant appearance

Blooming, foliage and shape

Blooming period
Early spring
Flower color
YELLOW
Fruiting
Feathery seeds in late spring
Foliage color
Green
Foliage type
Obsolete
Shape
Low-growing, rhizomatous, broad-leaved habit
Garden structure

Size and growth

Height
15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 inches)
Width
45 to 60 cm (18 to 24 inches)
Growth rate
Rapid growth
Vegetable garden and yield

Companion planting, spacing and harvest

Companion plants
Comfrey, mint, bee balm, sedge
Spacing
45 to 60 cm (18 to 24 inches)
Not recommended for pets
Not recommended for pets

Pets

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.