Translate this page:

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Petasites is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen in May. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Tussilago alba.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

The small fleshy petioles (leaf stems) are very palatable when cooked and eaten like asparagus[7].

References More on Edible Uses

Composition

Figures in grams (g) or miligrams (mg) per 100g of food.

Leaves (Dry weight)

250 Calories per 100g
Water : 0%
Protein: 19.5g; Fat: 2.8g; Carbohydrate: 52.8g; Fibre: 19.4g; Ash: 25g;
Minerals - Calcium: 1194mg; Phosphorus: 556mg; Iron: 2.8mg; Magnesium: 0mg; Sodium: 917mg; Potassium: 12500mg; Zinc: 0mg;
Vitamins - A: 278mg; Thiamine (B1): 0.56mg; Riboflavin (B2): 0.56mg; Niacin: 5.56mg; B6: 0mg; C: 56mg;
Reference: [ ]
Notes:

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.

The root is emmenagogue, hypnotic, sedative and vulnerary[7, 172]. The ground or finely chopped rhizome has a healing effect when applied to slow-healing or weak ulcers, or to suppurating wounds[7]. An infusion of the leaves is a specific remedy for coughs[7]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the roots[7]. It is used in the treatment of wounds, ulcers etc[7].

References More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

Edible Tropical Plants

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

Edible Temperate Plants

Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital media.

More Books

PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital formats. Browse the shop for more information.

Shop Now

Other Uses

A good ground cover for the wilder areas of the garden[200]. It is too invasive to be used in small gardens and is only suitable for covering large areas[208]. The leaves were at one time used by peasants as a head covering[7].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[1], but prefers a deep fertile humus-rich soil that is permanently moist but not stagnant, succeeding in shade, semi-shade or full sun[200]. Prefers partial shade[31]. Prefers a heavy soil[208]. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn[233]. A very invasive plant, too rampant for anything other than the wild garden[187, 200]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

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:

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

Shop Now

Plant Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe or in early spring. Only just cover the seed and do not allow the compost to dry out. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division succeeds at almost any time of the year. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

Coming Soon

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 it'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
Petasites albus	Butterbur	Perennial	0.6	4-8	F	LMH	FSN	M	2	1	2
Petasites frigidus	Sweet Coltsfoot, Arctic sweet coltsfoot, Arrowleaf sweet coltsfoot, Golden Palms Coltsfoot, Butterb	Perennial	0.2	6-10	F	LMH	FSN	MWe	2	1	2
Petasites hybridus	Butterbur, Pestilence wort	Perennial	1.0	4-8	F	LMH	FSN	MWe	0	3	0
Petasites hyperboreus	Arctic Sweet Coltsfoot	Perennial	0.2	4-8	F	LMH	FSN	MWe	2	1	2
Petasites japonicus	Sweet Coltsfoot, Japanese sweet coltsfoot, Butterbur	Perennial	0.6	5-9	F	LMH	FSN	MWe	3	2	1
Petasites palmatus	Sweet Butterbur, Golden Palms Coltsfoot, Sweet Coltsfoot, Butterbur	Perennial	0.4	6-10	F	LMH	FSN	MWe	2	1
Petasites saggitatus	Arrowleaf Sweet Coltsfoot	Perennial	0.2	-	F	LMH	FSN	MWe	2	1
Petasites speciosa		Perennial	0.0	-	F	LMH	FSN	MWe	2	0
Petasites vitifolius	Arctic sweet coltsfoot	Perennial	0.6	0-0	F	LMH	FSN	MWe	1	0

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.

Now available: Food Forest Plants for Mediterranean Conditions 350+ Perennial Plants For Mediterranean and Drier Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens. [Paperback and eBook]

This is the third in Plants For A Future's series of plant guides for food forests tailored to specific climate zones. Following volumes on temperate and tropical ecosystems, this book focuses on species suited to Mediterranean conditionsâ€”regions with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters, often facing the added challenge of climate change.

Petasites - (L.)Gaertn.