Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale • Asteraceae
🌱 Seed Category
Herb/Wildflower
🌍 Origin Region
Eurasia; naturalized globally in temperate regions
📅 Days to Maturity
85-100 days for greens harvest; flower production in second year or late first season.
🌡️ Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3-9; hardy perennial.
About This Seed
The seed is a spindle-shaped achene, approximately 2-4mm long, brown to olive-tan in color with tiny barbs on the ribs. The plant is a perennial herb with a deep taproot, basal rosette of deeply lobed leaves, and hollow stalks topped by bright yellow flower heads followed by spherical clock-like seed heads.
Growing Information
Growing Season
Spring and Fall; extremely frost tolerant
Germination
7-21 days; optimal temperature 15-22°C (60-72°F); light-dependent germination (do not cover); high germination rate in moist soil.
Planting Instructions
Surface sow or very shallow (1/8 inch); space 6-12 inches apart; prefers nutrient-rich soil but adapts to almost any soil type; pH 6.0 to 7.5.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; moderate water but high drought tolerance once established due to taproot.
Companion Plants
Beneficial to most garden plants as it loosens soil with taproots and attracts pollinators; avoid planting near slow-growing delicate herbs that may be crowded out.
Special Characteristics
Highly pollinator-friendly (early spring food source); entire plant is edible (roots, leaves, flowers); medicinal diuretic properties; dynamic accumulator of minerals.