How to Plant and Grow Fleabane

Although its name doesn't suggest much in the way of beauty, fleabane is a native wildflower that produces great clouds of tiny blossoms from midsummer to early fall. Its somewhat unflattering common name comes from folklore and historical practices of using dried bunches of fleabane as a flea and gnat repellant.

Fleabane flower clusters are made up of 1-inch diameter daisy-like blossoms—each of which contains 100-150 threadlike pale pink or white petals. Thanks to its familiar flower shape, the biennial (or short-lived perennial) is sometimes mistaken for aster (although that plant blooms later in the season). Despite its native status, fleabane is also sometimes referred to as a weed. It is not invasive but can self-seed, self-fertilize, and grow aggressively in ideal conditions. For this reason, it is most commonly used in wildlife gardens and natural landscapes.

It's also worth noting that fleabane is considered mildly toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Use caution when planting it in areas where animals play or graze.

Where to Plant Fleabane

There are approximately 390 species of fleabane worldwide. That means there is a fleabane for almost any climate—including some that grow on sandy coastal dunes (Erigeron glaucus) and some that thrive above the tree lines in the Rocky Mountains (Erigeron grandiflorus).

Gardeners rarely opt for intentional fleabane plantings because the plant can be weedy. However, there are many well-behaved fleabane hybrids. Fleabane is also great for naturalized areas and prairie or meadow plantings. In optimum growing conditions, fleabane will self-seed, producing a new crop of plants every year.

How and When to Plant Fleabane

To plant fleabane, dig a hole just a few inches deeper than the longest roots of your plant. Ideally, the roots should be unencumbered, with the plant sitting at the same level in the ground as it did in its container. Backfill the hole and tamp the soil down gently. If you pack the soil too tightly, the roots may struggle to take in nutrients and water. If you are planting more than one fleabane plant, place them approximately 12 to 18 inches apart.

To grow fleabane from seed, start in the spring or early fall. Plant your seeds (which can be found at most garden centers) on the surface of the soil in a place with well-draining soil and full sun.

Fleabane Care Tips

Fleabane is a drought-tolerant, adaptive plant that is accustomed to surviving in challenging situations. That means it requires little (if any) care once established.

Light

All fleabane varieties thrive in full sun, but there are a few that fare well in partial to full shade (like showy fleabane, Erigeron speciosus). Check the plant label for your plant's particular requirements and—when in doubt—opt for a spot with at least 6 to 8 hours of full sunlight each day.

Soil and Water

Fleabane prefers fertile, well-drained soil, but is highly adaptable and can grow in almost any soil—including poor soil, sandy soil, dry soil, and wet soil.

Most fleabane varieties need no supplemental watering once established—except in prolonged hot, dry temperatures. If you are watering your fleabane, do so only once every 7 to 10 days and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.

Temperature and Humidity

Fleabane temperature and humidity preferences vary dramatically depending on variety. Most, however, prefer temperatures between 65˚ and 75˚ Fahrenheit and humidity levels between 40% and 50%. In prolonged, hot temperatures, your fleabane may lose color, curl, and wilt. Conversely, if you experience winters with temperatures repeatedly below -10˚, your fleabane may not flower the following spring.

Fertilizer

In most cases, fleabane does not require fertilizer, but in challenging environments, you can boost the plant with a monthly application of balanced (10-10-10) liquid fertilizer from late spring to early fall. Avoid fertilizing in the late fall and throughout the winter.

Pruning

Fleabane does not require pruning, but you can deadhead spent flowers to prolong the blooming period. You can also cut it back (to the soil) in the fall to maintain compact growth the following spring.

Potting and Repotting

Fleabane makes an excellent container plant—especially the trailing varieties (like Erigeron karvinskianus) that will add volume and spill over the sides of the pot. In early spring, scatter your seeds on the surface of a pot filled with moist, well-draining potting mix. Keep the container in a sunny location. No other early care is required. Germination should begin in 2 to 4 weeks.

Repotting should not be required, but if you need to repot or divide your plant, it’s best to do so in early spring or late fall when the plant is not in bloom.

Pests and Problems

In some areas, fleabane is prone to attacks from aphids and spider mites. As for diseases, leaf spots, rust, and powdery mildew may occasionally cause fleabane trouble. To prevent most of these issues, make sure your plants have plenty of air circulation and avoid overwatering.

How to Propagate Fleabane

The easiest way to propagate fleabane is via division. You can divide your fleabane plants in late fall or any time they are not in bloom. Dig around the edges of the roots and lift the whole plant from the ground. Use your hands to pull apart the roots and separate the plant into sections—each with a healthy portion of roots, stems, and foliage. Replant the separated sections approximately 12 to 18 inches apart and water thoroughly.

Types of Fleabane

Mexican Fleabane

Erigeron karvinskianus (also known as Mexican fleabane or Mexican daisy) is a low-growing, trailing Erigeron species that features narrow, hairy, grey-green foliage and a near-endless production of daisy-like flowers. The flowers start white and slowly shift to pink and then purple. It grows best in fertile, well-drained soil and full sun in zones 6-9.   

Annual Fleabane

Annual fleabane (Erigeron annuus), is often found growing along roadsides and in fields across the country. Annual fleabane (sometimes called Common fleabane) is hardy in zones 3-8 and features 1-inch flowers with a yellow central disk and petals in hues of white, pink, and purple. It can grow up to 5 feet tall and thrives in full sun and a wide range of soil conditions.

Daisy Fleabane

Daisy Fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) is another very common species of fleabane that has comparatively slimmer leaves than annual fleabane with short hairs covering the leaves and the middle and upper portions of the stems. It features flowers with a yellow central disk and white petals with pink rays.

Featherleaf Fleabane

Featherleaf fleabane (Erigeron pinnatisectus) features lavender-blue flowers and feathery, divided leaves. It is an herbaceous perennial that grows up to about 4 to 5 inches tall, primarily in Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico.

Hyssop-Leaved Fleabane

Hyssop-leaved fleabane (Erigeron hyssopifolius) is a small perennial primarily found growing from the cliffs, ledges and river gravel in Maine and Vermont. It often grows in rock crevices and bedrock in areas where pH levels are higher. This species features narrow, tapering leaves and daisy-like flowers with yellow center disks and pink to white petals.

Rocky Mountain Fleabane

Rocky Mountain fleabane (Erigeron grandiflorus) is also known as large-flower fleabane. It grows at or above the tree line in the mountain ranges of the western United States and Canada. It produces just one flower per stem and can stand about 10 inches tall. Rocky Mountain fleabane features blooms in white, pink, yellow, blue, or purple in late summer and early fall.

Spreading Fleabane

Spreading fleabane (Erigeron divergens) is a fleabane species hardy in zones 2-10. It is more cold-tolerant than other fleabane species and is typically grown as an annual or perennial. It features one-inch-wide flowers with white center disks and white petals that fold up in the shade (or late afternoon) to reveal pale pinkish-purple undersides. It grows in full sun or partial shade and prefers moist or dry, sandy soil that is slightly acidic to slightly alkaline (6.1 to 7.8 pH).

Companion Plants for Fleabane

Well-designed cottage or wildflower gardens draw in helpful pollinators and can easily double as bouquet gardens. If that's your plan for fleabane, pair it with plants that bloom in spring, summer, and fall to enjoy a garden that produces bouquets for nine months or more.  

Bee Balm

Speaking of pollinators, bee balm is a sure bet for bringing pollinators to the garden. This summer-blooming perennial has frilly blooms that add a splash of color to cottage, wildflower, and border gardens. Bee balm is known for its vigorous growth and long bloom time. It needs similar growing conditions as fleabane, so they are excellent garden roommates in zones 3-9.

Black-Eyed Susan

Black-eyed Susan is a perennial garden staple in zones 3-11. The easy-to-grow, no-fuss plants do best in 6 to 8 hours of full sunlight and moist, well-draining soil. Native to the Midwest, black-eyed Susan lends itself well to mass plantings and needs little care to grow abundantly. It is hardy in zones 3-11.

Coneflower

Coneflowers are low-maintenance prairie natives that draw in a steady stream of birds and butterflies. Like fleabane, coneflowers love full sun and well-drained soil. They are also valued for their large, sturdy, daisy-like flowers that shine in a variety of garden settings. Coneflowers bloom from summer to fall in zones 3-9.

Pearly Everlasting

Pearly everlasting is an underappreciated North American native herb that deserves to be planted more often in gardens and landscapes. This easy-care perennial features lance-like gray-green foliage and long-lasting white flowers that attract butterflies. The flowers also dry well, making them perfect for craft projects. Pearly everlasting is a prairie plant so it thrives in dry, sunny spots and tolerates rocky or poor soils in zones 3-8.

Garden Plans For Fleabane

Easy-Care Backyard Fence Garden Plan

Give a drab backyard fence a new life as a backdrop for a gorgeous flower bed, bursting with long-lasting color, fragrance, and texture. Most of the plants in this design are perennials (like coralbells, clematis, and sea holly) with a few bulbs (such as iris) and small shrubs (boxwood) mixed in for added interest. The result is a long-lasting garden that requires minimal maintenance and almost year-round appeal. We’ve also added a few annuals to this plan that can be refreshed every growing season. They aren’t required but will help spice up the bed's look without having to replant.