Southern sneezeweed is an herbaceous perennial in the aster family (Asteraceae) native to central and eastern North America, found in forests or natural areas and along stream banks and in wet areas. It can become weedy in disturbed areas such as old fields, pastures, and roadsides. Southern sneezeweed grows 1 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide and can be cultivated in average to rich soils in moist to wet conditions. It should be cut back in early summer to encourage branching and increase flowering. Deadheading will encourage more blooms. Drooping bright yellow rays surround a purplish-brown rounded dome of florets from late summer into fall. Basal leaves are larger than the stem leaves that occur on the winged stems. Use southern sneezeweed along a bog, pond or stream, in a pollinator garden or rain garden. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Watch for powdery mildew, leaf spot and rust. More information on Helenium .
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; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil drainage
Frequent Standing Water | Moist | Occasionally Wet
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Dentate
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
glandular-dotted; lance-shaped, dark green basal leaves to 8 inches long, with upper leaves that are smaller and less toothed;
Flower color
Brown/Copper; Purple/Lavender
Flower value
Good Cut; Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower shape
Wheel
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Yellow 3-lobed ray petals surround a convex deep purplish brown button head. Blooms late summer to fall.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit detail
Displays from June to October
Stem detail
Green winged stems.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Eastern and midwestern North America
Distribution
AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV Canada: NS , ON , QC
Wildlife value
Flowers attract pollinators and butterflies.
Attracts
Butterflies; Pollinators; Small Mammals; Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall; Summer
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.