Sweet Butterbur
Petasites palmatus
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Pl. 49C2 — Petasites palmatus
Petasites palmatusPetasites palmatusPetasites palmatusPetasites palmatusPetasites palmatusPetasites palmatusPetasites palmatusPetasites palmatusPetasites palmatusPetasites palmatusPetasites palmatusPetasites palmatusPetasites palmatusPetasites palmatus
IOverview
Overview
Sweet Butterbur (Petasites palmatus) is a perennial herb native to the northeastern and northwestern United States as well as parts of Canada. It thrives in moist, wet environments with light, medium, or heavy soil types, making it common in areas like Alberta, British Columbia, California, Connecticut, Idaho, Labrador, Maine, Manitoba, and Quebec. Known for its edible flowers and stems, this plant is also valued for its ornamental qualities. One distinctive feature of Sweet Butterbur is its light to moist habitat preference; another notable characteristic is its soil pH requirement of 7.5–8.
Quick answers
What is Sweet Butterbur?
Sweet Butterbur (Petasites palmatus) is a perennial herb native to the northeastern and northwestern United States as well as parts of Canada.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Sweet Butterbur thrives in moist to wet soils and prefers light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) types. It is hardy in temperate regions from zones 6-10 and can grow up to 0.4 meters tall. This perennial forbs/herb requires partial shade with a light intensity of 7/10. For best results, maintain consistently moist soil and provide a pH between 7.5 and 8. The edible parts include the flowers and stems, making it a versatile addition to your garden. Propagate by division in early spring or from seed sown in late winter.
Light
7/10
Water
Moist, wet
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
6-10
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.4 m tall
Soil pH
7.5–8
For first-time growers
How to grow Sweet Butterbur for the first time
8steps
Sweet Butterbur is a forgiving plant for beginners, focusing on soil preparation and basic care.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or young plants, garden gloves, trowel.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in early spring after the last frost or late summer for transplanting.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a moist, well-draining soil with a pH of 7.5–8. Ensure good drainage if using containers.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds in the ground or start young plants indoors before transplanting to the garden.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep soil consistently moist and avoid direct sunlight for a few days after planting.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly, especially during dry spells. Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune dead foliage in late winter before new growth emerges; harvest flowers for decorative purposes if desired.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in too sunny a location, neglecting to mulch.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:FlowersStem
Edible uses: Salt
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across1 continent· 30 native
Europe1 region
native (1)Albania
Broader regions
native:British Columbia, California, Connecticut, Idaho, Labrador, Maine, Manitoba, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New York, Newfoundland, North Dakota, Northwest Territorie, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Oregon, Prince Edward I., Québec, Rhode I., Saskatchewan, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Yukon, Alberta
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
Explore further
Companion planting
Growing zone
XII
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · 49c2d296-19e3-4b9e-bc0b-839a864f240e
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