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Tussilago farfara (Coltsfoot)
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.2m
Max height
Max height
1m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Tussilago farfara
Other names
Coltsfoot, Ass's foot, Bull foot, Clay weed, Cleats, Cleets, Colt herb, Common colt's foot, Coughwort, Dove dock, Dummy weed, Foal foot, Foal's foot, ginger, Hoofs, Horse foot, Horse hoof, Sow foot, Tushy luck
Genus
Tussilago Tussilago
Species
T. farfara - T. farfara is a low, spreading, rhizomatous, deciduous perennial with dandelion-like, yellow flower heads in early spring and rounded to heart-shaped, lobed, toothed, mid- to dark green leaves, white-hairy beneath, emerging after the flowers have died.
Tussilago farfara is: Deciduous
Habit
Spreading
Toxicity
Though long used medicinally and as a food product, prolonged consumption may cause liver damage. Consuming large amounts at one time is toxic.
Flower
Bright-yellow in Spring
Foliage
Dark-green in Summer; Dark-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
Rhizomes can survive many years underground, sprouting when disturbed.
Propagation
Sow seeds in situ in autumn or spring. Best to divide in autumn or spring, but usually successful at any time of year.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
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Where to grow
Tussilago farfara (Coltsfoot) will reach a height of 0.2m and a spread of 1m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Add to salads, Banks and Slopes, Ground Cover, Salt tolerant, Wildlife
Cultivation
Prefers moist but well-drained or moisture retentive, neutral to alkaline soil in full sun. Easily tolerates partial shade and poor, drier conditions. Site carefully as this plant is invasive. Deadhead regularly and/or plant within a barrier to prevent sp
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, 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
Tussilago farfara
Other names
Coltsfoot, Ass's foot, Bull foot, Clay weed, Cleats, Cleets, Colt herb, Common colt's foot, Coughwort, Dove dock, Dummy weed, Foal foot, Foal's foot, ginger, Hoofs, Horse foot, Horse hoof, Sow foot, Tushy luck
Genus
Tussilago Tussilago
Species
T. farfara - T. farfara is a low, spreading, rhizomatous, deciduous perennial with dandelion-like, yellow flower heads in early spring and rounded to heart-shaped, lobed, toothed, mid- to dark green leaves, white-hairy beneath, emerging after the flowers have died.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading
Toxicity
Though long used medicinally and as a food product, prolonged consumption may cause liver damage. Consuming large amounts at one time is toxic.
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Colour
Flower
Bright-yellow in Spring
Foliage
Dark-green in Summer; Dark-green in Autumn
General care
Pruning
Rhizomes can survive many years underground, sprouting when disturbed.
Propagation
Sow seeds in situ in autumn or spring. Best to divide in autumn or spring, but usually successful at any time of year.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Tussilago farfara (Coltsfoot) will reach a height of 0.2m and a spread of 1m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Add to salads, Banks and Slopes, Ground Cover, Salt tolerant, Wildlife
Cultivation
Prefers moist but well-drained or moisture retentive, neutral to alkaline soil in full sun. Easily tolerates partial shade and poor, drier conditions. Site carefully as this plant is invasive. Deadhead regularly and/or plant within a barrier to prevent sp
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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