Plant Lust
ShopOrderSellblog
0

  • Plant types

  • Plant styles

  • Planting conditions

  • Seasonal interest

  • Nurseries & Gardens

    • Photo of Inula helenium flower by Karl Gercens III

    Photo by Karl Gercens III

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

    Show all photos

    Inula helenium

    Also Known As

    • Elecampane
    • Horse-Heal
    • Marchalan

    Plant type

    perennial

    size

    • H: 6'
    • W: 24"

    planting zones

    • 6a-10b

    More Options

    Inula helenium plant details

    Inula helenium is a broadleaf deciduous perennial with green foliage. In fall and summer yellow flowers emerge. Attracts butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun and regular water. Does well in average and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Inula helenium

    Plant type: perennial
    Plant family: asteraceae
    Foliage: deciduous green
    Mature size: 0 - 24 IN - wide, 0 - 6 FT - tall
    Flowers: yellow blooms in fall and summer
    Uses: big leaves, fragrant, xeric

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Inula helenium

    USDA Zones: 6a - 10b
    Sun exposure: sun
    Watering frequency: regular
    Resistant to: heat
    Soil needs: average and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Inula helenium is an aster family member known as elecampane, horse-heal, or elfdock. It has a long history of use as an herbal remedy, food, and flavouring since Ancient Greek times. In folklore it was said to have sprung up from the tears of Helen of Troy, hence the specific epithet, and was sacred to the Celts who associated it with elves and fairy folk. It grows as a strong, upright perennial 3-6 feet high, with large, coarse, mid green leaves topped in summer by open sprays of bright yellow, daisy-like flowers 2-3 inches wide with dark orange-yellow centres and thin ray petals. Popular with bees and butterflies. Tolerant of part shade and many different soil types.

    By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

    This northern Eurasion native is well known for its medicinal properties. Beginnining in late July and carrying on into September, cheery daisies beckon honeybees and pollinators with central cones surrounded by a fringe of narrow yellow petals on 3-5' stems above the coarse ovate-elliptical basal leaves. Adaptable to many different soil conditions and a nice addition for the pollinator garden.

    By: Avant Gardens

    For groupings in the wild garden or the back of the border, perhaps with a background of dark green or purple-leaved shrubs, these tall accent plants (6') produce clusters of 3" bright yellow daisies in late summer. Sun/Med

    By: Forestfarm

    Gardening facts about Inula helenium plant

    How to Grow Inula helenium

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun

    • Water Needs

      • regular

    • Soil Needs

      • average
      • well-drained

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • yellow

    • Wildlife

      • butterflies

    • Flower Season

      • summer
      • fall

    • Foliage Season

      • deciduous

    See other plant types of Inula for your garden

    Inula verbascifolia

    aka Inula bocconei, Inula candida verbascifolia

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    9a-10b

    Size

    Height: 9"

    Width: 12"

    • sun
    • regular - drought tolerant
    Photo of Inula verbascifolia foliage by Annie's Annuals & Perennials
    View Plant

    Inula magnifica

    aka Inula afghanica, Elecampane, Showy Elecampagne

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    7a-9b

    Size

    Height: 6'

    Width: 3'

    • sun
    • even moisture
    Photo of Inula magnifica flower by Kurt Stueber
    View Plant

    More Options

    Inula racemosa 'Sonnenspeer'

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    4a-10a

    Size

    Height: 4'-6'

    Width: 24"

    • sun
    • regular
    Photo of Inula racemosa 'Sonnenspeer' flower by Annie's Annuals & Perennials
    View Plant

    More Options

    Inula royleana

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    6a-9b

    Size

    Height: 24"

    Width: 24"-30"

    • sun
    • regular
    Photo of Inula royleana flower by Karl Gercens III
    View Plant

    Solidago ptarmicoides

    aka Aster ptarmicoides, Doellingeria ptarmicoides, Inula alba, Oligoneuron album, Solidago asteroides, Unamia alba, Stiff Aster, Upland White Aster, White Aster

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    3a-9b

    Size

    Height: 12"-24"

    Width: 12"

    • sun
    • occasional - low
    Photo of Solidago ptarmicoides flower, foliage, form by Avant Gardens
    View Plant

    More Options

    +3 more Inula
    Mailing List
    Sign Up for updates on new plant arrivals and deals

    © 2010—2026 Plant Lust, LLC All Rights Reserved