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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Helianthus laetiflorus is a PERENNIAL growing to 2 m (6ft 7in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from August to October, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Tubers - raw or cooked[55, 105, K]. Used like Jerusalem artichokes, to which they are not much inferior in taste though yields are lower[95, 183].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Food Forest

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in most soils in a sunny position[1]. Requires a rich soil[1]. Dislikes shade[1]. The young growth is extremely attractive to slugs, plants can be totally destroyed by them[K]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233]. A naturally occurring hybrid, H. pauciflorus (or H. rigidus in another report) x H. tuberosus[200]. Plants have a running root system and can be very invasive[1]. This species is often grown as an ornamental plant, there are several named varieties[1]. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 9 through 5. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a runner spreading indefinitely by rhizomes or stolons [1-2]. The root pattern is tuberous with swollen potato-like roots [1-2].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring. Basal cuttings in spring. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada, New Brunswick, United States, Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Montana, Oregon, Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, District of Columbia, Texas,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Helianthus annuus	Sunflower, Common sunflower	Annual	3.0	6-9	F	LMH	SN	DM	5	2	5
Helianthus cusickii	Cusick's sunflower	Perennial	0.6	7-10	F	LMH	N	DM	3	1	0
Helianthus decapetalus	Thinleaf sunflower	Perennial	1.2	2-8	M	LMH	SN	M	0	0	2
Helianthus doronicoides		Perennial	1.8	4-8		LMH	N	M	2	0
Helianthus giganteus	Giant Sunflower	Perennial	3.6	4-8	F	LMH	N	M	3	0	0
Helianthus hybrids	Perennial Sunflower	Perennial	3.6	4-11	F	LMH	N	DM	4	2	2
Helianthus lenticularis	Wild Sunflower	Annual	3.0	-		LMH	N	M	3	0
Helianthus maximilianii	Maximillian Sunflower, Maximillian Daisy	Perennial	2.4	5-10	M	LMH	N	M	3	0	0
Helianthus pauciflorus	Stiff Sunflower, Prairie Sunflower	Perennial	1.5	3-7	F	LMH	N	DM	4	0	1
Helianthus petiolaris	Prairie Sunflower	Annual	3.0	4-8		LMH	N	DM	2	1	0
Helianthus strumosus	Paleleaf Woodland Sunflower	Perennial	2.0	4-8		LMH	N	M	2	1
Helianthus tuberosus	Jerusalem Artichoke	Perennial	2.4	4-8	F	LMH	N	DM	4	1	3

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Helianthus laetiflorus - Pers.