Pulicaria vulgaris
Pulicaria vulgaris · Asteraceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant pulicaria vulgaris: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- July to September
- Mature size
- 20 to 60 cm in height
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Moderate (temperate zones)
- Origin
- Mediterranean basin and Southern Europe
- Soil type
- Well-drained, light to chalky
Care
Watering
Water regularly during the growth and flowering period, without letting the soil become waterlogged. Reduce watering in winter if the plant is grown in a pot. Pulicaria enjoys a certain freshness but does not tolerate stagnant moisture.
Exposure
Place your pulicaria in full sun to obtain abundant flowering. It tolerates light partial shade but flowers better with at least 6 hours of direct daily sunlight.
Soil
Prefer light, well-drained soil that is rather chalky or neutral. Enrich the substrate with compost or potting soil if the soil is too heavy or acidic. Avoid soils that remain too wet permanently.
Pruning and maintenance
Pinch young stems in spring to encourage a bushy, branched form. Remove faded flowers regularly to extend flowering. In late autumn, cut the plant down to ground level if it dies back after seeding, or cut it back before winter.
Fertilizer
Apply a balanced fertilizer every 15 to 20 days during the growth and flowering phase. Too much nitrogen promotes foliage at the expense of flowers: be moderate.
Diseases and pests
Pulicaria is generally robust. Watch out for aphids and spider mites during hot, dry periods. In case of excessive humidity, root rot may appear: improve drainage and reduce watering.
Did you know?
The name "Pulicaria" comes from the Latin "pulex" (flea): in the Middle Ages and up to modern times, the dried flowers and leaves of this plant were used as a natural repellent against fleas and other parasites in homes and with domestic animals, before the era of modern insecticides.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- SunflowerHelianthus annuus
- YarrowAchillea millefolium
- Ox-eye daisyLeucanthemum vulgare
- SneezewortAchillea ptarmica
- Canadian goldenrodSolidago canadensis
- WormwoodArtemisia absinthium
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.