🌼 Elecampane: Growing Guide
Elecampane (Inula helenium) grows best in full sun with moderate watering, and does well at −25 to 30 °C (−13 to 86 °F) in soil with a pH of 6.0–7.5. Space plants about 80 cm (31 in) apart. Expect 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Inula helenium |
|---|---|
| Category | Medicinal |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Moderate |
| Plant spacing | 80 cm (31 in) |
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.5 |
| Comfortable temperature | −25 to 30 °C (−13 to 86 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season) |
| Sowing depth | 1 cm (0.4 in) |
| Height | 100–200 cm (39–79 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Continental | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||||
| Oceanic | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Subtropical | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Harvest | |||||||
| Cold / Northern | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Mar–Apr · Harvest: May–Jun.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: Apr · Harvest: May–Jun.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: Mar–Apr · Harvest: May–Jun.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Plant out: Feb, Aug · Harvest: Mar–Apr, Sep.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Plant out: Apr · Harvest: May–Jun.
Watering
Water about every 3 days in summer and about every 8 days in winter. Loves moisture.
Growing tips
Yellow daisy-like flowers. The root is traditionally used in herbal remedies. Flowers in July. Contains inulin.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Frequently asked questions
Elecampane: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Mar–Apr · Harvest: May–Jun. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: Apr · Harvest: May–Jun. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: Mar–Apr · Harvest: May–Jun.
Elecampane: how often should I water it?
Water about every 3 days in summer and about every 8 days in winter. Loves moisture.
Elecampane: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 80 cm (31 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 1 cm (0.4 in).
Elecampane: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Elecampane: which plants grow well with it?
Angelica.
Plan your garden
Add Elecampane to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
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