Sweet Coltsfoot
Petasites frigidus
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Pl. D58A — Petasites frigidus
Petasites frigidusPetasites frigidusPetasites frigidusPetasites frigidusPetasites frigidusPetasites frigidusPetasites frigidusPetasites frigidusPetasites frigidusPetasites frigidusPetasites frigidusPetasites frigidusPetasites frigidusPetasites frigidus
IOverview
Overview
Sweet Coltsfoot (Petasites frigidus) is a perennial forb or herb found in the wild across North America and Asia, from Alaska to Wyoming and from California to Maine. Known for its edible parts—flowers, leaves, roots, and stems—it thrives in moist, wet conditions with partial sun to full shade. This plant prefers light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soils and is hardy in zones 6-10. One distinctive feature of Sweet Coltsfoot is its light green, heart-shaped leaves that can grow up to 0.2 meters tall, making it a notable addition to gardens and landscapes for both ornamental and culinary purposes.
Quick answers
What is Sweet Coltsfoot?
Sweet Coltsfoot (Petasites frigidus) is a perennial forb or herb found in the wild across North America and Asia, from Alaska to Wyoming and from California to Maine. Known for its edible parts—flowers, leaves, roots, and stems—it thrives in moist, wet conditions with partial sun to full shade.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Sweet Coltsfoot thrives in moist to wet soils and prefers partial sun to full shade. It grows well in light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soil types. Hardy from zones 6-10, this perennial can be propagated by division in early spring. Harvest edible parts such as flowers, leaves, roots, and stems for culinary use.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade, Full shade
Water
Moist, Wet
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
6-10
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.2 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Sweet Coltsfoot for the first time
8steps
Sweet Coltsfoot is a forgiving plant for beginners, making it an excellent choice for your first gardening project.
- 1
What you'll need
Coltsfoot seeds or young plants, a garden fork, and mulch.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked, or in late summer for fall planting.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a location with moist, well-draining soil that is light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). Ensure full sun to partial shade.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 1-2 cm deep in the prepared soil. For transplants, space young plants about 30 cm apart.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep the soil consistently moist and mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly during dry spells. Fertilize sparingly with compost in early spring. Divide plants every 3-5 years to maintain vigor.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune dead foliage in late winter before new growth emerges, and harvest leaves and roots in the fall.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in too sunny a location, neglecting to divide plants regularly, and not providing enough mulch.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:FlowersLeavesRootStem
Edible uses: Salt
Other uses:ContainerstextilesGround cover
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across3 continents· 30 native
Europe2 regions
native (2)FinlandRussia
Asia1 region
native (1)Mongolia
Americas1 region
native (1)United States
Broader regions
native:Alberta, Altay, Amur, Baltic States, British Columbia, Massachusetts, Buryatiya, California, Chita, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Irkutsk, Kamchatka, Khabarovsk, Magadan, Maine, Manitoba, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New York, Newfoundland
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
Explore further
Companion planting
Growing zone
XII
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · d58a21c7-cdd1-497c-8170-237d8fce3c5d
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