Beginner
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Petasites japonicus (Sweet coltsfoot)
1 hour care
per year
per year
1.2m
Max height
Max height
1.5m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Petasites japonicus
Other names
Sweet coltsfoot, Butterbur
Genus
Petasites Petasites
Species
P. japonicus - P. japonicus is a vigorously spreading perennial with whitish-yellow flowers that are borne in winter to early spring before the leaves. In spring very large, kidney-shaped, green leaves develop.
Petasites japonicus is: Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming
Flower
White, Pale-yellow in Spring; White, Pale-yellow in Winter
Foliage
Bright-green in Spring; Bright-green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free.
Diseases
Generally disease free.
General care
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Petasites japonicus (Sweet coltsfoot) will reach a height of 1.2m and a spread of 1.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), Bog garden, Cottage/Informal, Waterside, Woodland
Cultivation
Grow in constantly moist, humus-rich soil in full shade or partial shade.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy
Soil drainage
Boggy damp conditions, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
North, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Petasites japonicus
Other names
Sweet coltsfoot, Butterbur
Genus
Petasites Petasites
Species
P. japonicus - P. japonicus is a vigorously spreading perennial with whitish-yellow flowers that are borne in winter to early spring before the leaves. In spring very large, kidney-shaped, green leaves develop.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
White, Pale-yellow in Spring; White, Pale-yellow in Winter
Foliage
Bright-green in Spring; Bright-green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free.
Diseases
Generally disease free.
General care
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Petasites japonicus (Sweet coltsfoot) will reach a height of 1.2m and a spread of 1.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), Bog garden, Cottage/Informal, Waterside, Woodland
Cultivation
Grow in constantly moist, humus-rich soil in full shade or partial shade.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy
Soil drainage
Boggy damp conditions, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
North, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Clay, Loamy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Boggy damp conditions, Moisture-retentive | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
GARDENS WITH THIS PLANT
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
By garden designer and landscaper Mark Gregory. The stunning Yorkshire Dales is the inspiration for Welcome to Yorkshire’s 2018 RHS Chelsea show-garden. read more
By garden designer Charlotte Harris. 2017 marks a significant year for Royal Bank of Canada (RBC); not only is it the 10th year of the RBC Blue Water Project™, a wide-ranging, global… read more
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login