Helenium is a genus of about 40 annuals and herbaceous perennials in the aster family (Asteraceae) native to the Americas. The common name, sneezeweed, comes from the former use of the leaves to make a snuff to induce sneezing to get rid of evil spirits. The genus is named after Helen of Troy. They typically grow 2 to 6 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide in a clumping habit and prefer full sun in moist, well-drained soil. Keep soils moist for best results. Propagation is by seed or division. In mid to late summer into fall, daisy-like flowers appear in yellow or orange-to-red tones. The showy petals surround a domed center that is often brown to purplish. Deadheading will help promote more blooms. Use these colorful plants in pollinator gardens for late-season bees. They can be planted in mass or in borders of cottage and cutting gardens or in naturalized areas. Many cultivars are available. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Powdery mildew, leaf spot, and rust. Taller species may require staking.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect; Multi-stemmed
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Alternate, simple, glandular-dotted lance-shaped green leaves
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Orange
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Radial
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Yellow to orange or red rays surround a dome of brown to purplish florets. The end of the petals are toothed
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Achene
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Winged green stems
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
North and South America
Wildlife value
Food plant of butterfly larvae
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Achene
Uses (ethnobotany)
Powdered leaves and flower heads were used in the treatment of colds and congestion by inducing sneezing. Indians used an infusion of the leaves as a laxative.