Downy goldenrod is a native perennial in the daisy family (Asteraceae) that is found in the southeast and south-central United States and in all areas of North Carolina. The genus name comes from the Latin term solidus, meaning “to make whole”and referring to the use of goldenrod by native Americans for medicinal purposes. The specific epithet refers to the presence of petioles. Plant it in slightly acidic, moist to dry soils with good drainage and in sun to partial sun. It can grow 1 to 4 feet in height and may need to be staked. Propagation is accomplished with seeds. It has striking yellow flowers in clusters that attract a variety of pollinators and beneficial insects. It blooms earlier than most other goldenrods, in late summer to fall when nectar plants can be in short supply. Use downy goldenrod in a native, butterfly or pollinator garden and in woodland, meadow and other naturalized areas. This is one of the 20 key pollinator plants that should be blooming in August for the Great Southeast Pollinator Census 2025. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. More information on Solidago .
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) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Rough
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Green to yellow-green leaves are alternate and 1-4" long and ¼–1" across. Shape is elliptic to broadly elliptic, or lanceolate-elliptic. The margins are entire to slightly toothed toward their tips. The upper surface has minute stiff hairs giving it a rough feel. The under surface is lighter in color with hairs along the veins. Leaves are stemless or have very short stems. Abundant leaves are produced and become smaller as they ascend the stems.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Panicle
Flower shape
Radial
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Yellow flowers bloom in a cylindrical panicle 4-10 inches long. Individual flowers have 5-10 ray florets that surround a dense head of 8-20 disk florets. Blooms from August to October.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Bullet-shaped achenes with small tufts of hair distributed by the wind.
Stem color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Stems are green to reddish-green, terete and sparsely to moderately short-pubescent.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Mid to southern U.S.A., Mexico
Distribution
AL , AR , CO , FL , GA , IL , KS , LA , MO , NC , NE , NM , OK , SC , TX
Wildlife value
This plant supports Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) larvae. Flowers attract bees, wasps and 112 species of butterflies and moths.