Inula

( IN - yew - luh )

At-A-Glance Information

Inula, commonly called Elecampane, is a genus of large, flowering perennials that need full sun and little to moderate water to perform well in the garden. The flowers will attract pollinators to the landscape. Rays of each yellow daisy flower are narrow, giving the flowers a spindly, shabby-chic look, and are great for adding height to the back of border plantings. Flowers are eye-catching in cut flower arrangements. They need little ongoing care if given well-draining soil. Take care when planting these flowers in the landscape, as plant parts can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.

Inula Species and Varietals

The genus Inula includes 80 species and is a member of the plant family Asteraceae. The best growing zones for Elecampane vary depending on the species, though generally they do well in USDA hardiness zones 3-8. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Inula helenium (Horse-Heal, Elfdock, Elecampane, Wild Sunflower)
This widespread species is native to Eurasia and grows well in USDA hardiness zones 3-8. It reaches between 35 and 60 inches tall when in bloom and produces large leaves. Undersides of leaves are wooly. Flower heads are 2 inches wide and yellow. This species is considered invasive in North America, where it grows in disturbed soils along roads and in pastures.

Inula hookeri (Hooker's Inula, Hooker's Fleabane, Horseheal)
This species is native to the Himalayas, India, Myanmar and China, and grows well in USDA hardiness zones 4-8. The species name commemorates Sir Joseph Hooker, the plant hunter who brought the species back to Britain in 1849. This species is considered invasive in the Pacific Northwest (United States), the UK, and Ireland.

Inula magnifica (Magnificent Elecampane, Giant Fleabane, Showy Elecampane, Giant Inula)
This species grows best in USDA hardiness zones 5-8 or Sunset growing zones 3b-9 and 14-24 and is native to Europe. Reaches 7 feet tall and produces daisies on branching stems in summertime. Leaves reduce in size the closer they get to the top of the plant. Variety 'Sonnestrahl' is a beautiful garden cultivar.

Inula racemosa (Indian Elecampane, Pushkarmool, Pushkara, Pohkarmool, Pokharmul, पुष्करमूल)
This plant grows best in USDA hardiness zones 4-9 or Sunset growing zones 4-9 and 14-24 and is native to China, Afghanistan, Kashmir, Nepal and Pakistan. Plants are covered in small hairs and have large leaves that are streaked with red. Yellow flowers appear from summer through autumn. 'Sonnenspeer' is a great garden cultivar. Indian Elecampane is considered invasive in Belgium and North America (United States and Canada).

Caring for Inula

Take care when planting these flowers in the landscape, as plant parts can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Inula, or Elecampagne, can be grown from seed sown directly into the garden or be purchased as a specimen from a reputable nursery. Seeds can be started indoors, as well, about 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost of the year. In their first year, they typically only produce herbaceous growth, and in their second year, they begin to produce flowers. Inula grows best when situated in full sun.; ideally, they should receive between 6 and 8 hours every day. If grown in too much shade, these plants tend to become leggy and do not flower well. They prefer to be planted in well-draining soil that is moderately fertile with a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0. If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Mulch around the base of plants to increase soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth, and to maintain consistent soil temperatures. Water new plantings regularly to help them establish a strong root system. At maturity, these flowers are drought-tolerant, able to get by on rainwater alone for most of the year. In extended periods of drought, provide supplemental irrigation.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with a application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Prune off dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time to improve appearance. Prune of spent flowering heads as they appear to discourage reseeding, unless you will be collecting seed for propagation. Cut plants back in early springtime for a flush of new growth and flowering, and again later in the season if plants are looking leggy or haggard. Every three years, divide plants; for instructions on how to divide Inula, see the Propagation section below. These perennial flowers can live for several years (or decades) in the garden. They will form clumps over time which can be divided, providing new plants for the landscape indefinitely.

Propagation

Inula, or Elecampane, flowers can be propagated by seed or division. These plants will reproduce asexually via creeping underground rhizomes, and clumps can be divided from time to time for planting elsewhere or simply to control spread. They will also freely re-seed in the landscape, providing new volunteer plants that can be dug up and relocated when they are young. To propagate your Elecampane plant, follow the directions below:

Propagating Inula by Seed
To complete this propagation method, you will need to allow the flowers to stay on the plant long enough to come to seed, so do not deadhead all of the flowers at the end of the blooming season. Seeds will be mature and ready to harvest in late summer, when the flowers have dried and are brown in color. Cut the flower heads off of your plant at this time, and remove the seeds. To grow Inula from seed, follow these directions:

Gather your materials. You will need a pot or seed tray and well-draining potting soil.
If you are growing just a few seeds, you can use a pot, though if you are growing more than just a few, use a growing tray. Prepare your pot or growing tray by filling it with well-draining potting soil.
Place your seeds on top of the potting mix, spaced about 4- 6 inches apart. Sprinkle potting medium over the top until the seeds are just lightly dusted. As the seeds are starting out, it is best to use a spray bottle to add moisture to avoid uncovering their light soil topping. Keep the soil moist as the seeds develop, using a seed tray cover or plastic bag to cover your pot to keep moisture in and humidity high.
Continue to monitor for moisture and adequate soil covering until the seeds start to sprout, which should take about 5 weeks. Once the chance of frost has passed by, seedlings can be transplanted to a sunny area of the garden. Keep the soil moist as the plant develops.

Propagating Inula by Division
Division is probably the easiest way to propagate these plants. The idea behind this method is that you are taking an existing clump of live plants and breaking it into smaller segments. This is something you will want to do whether or not you are looking to propagate your plant, as they need to be divided every so often (3-5 years) for health reasons; otherwise roots will become too crowded. Division should be attempted only when the plant is not in its blooming period. To complete this method, you will need a clean shovel, clean pruning saw, extra pots if you are not going to immediately plant your divisions in the ground, and well-draining soil to fill the pots (again, if you will not be planting your divisions directly into the ground). To propagate your Elecampane by division, follow the instructions below:

Identify the area of plants you're going to divide. Start by loosening the soil around the plant with your shovel, working your way inward to avoid causing damage to the roots. Once you've gotten the clump out of the ground, lay it out on its side.
Divide the clump into segments, either with your shovel or with a pruning saw, as many as you'd like as long as there is at least one viable 'shoot' per segment. Inspect each segment to ensure health, trimming off any diseased or dying parts and lay them out on the ground.
If you will be planting your division in the ground, this is when you'll prepare your new hole. Dig a hole (large enough to accommodate the root ball of the clump you are planting) in the ground with your shovel in a sunny location with soil that is well-draining. Backfill and water generously.
If you are transporting your division elsewhere, or hanging on to it until you're ready to plant it, you'll need your pot filled with potting soil. Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root ball of your division, and place your new plant in the soil. Water generously, ensuring that adequate drainage is occurring. Place the pot in a sunny location until you are ready to plant it in the ground.

Inula seed heads dry out and turn brown before releasing seeds.

Inula seeds are tiny, brown or copper, and measure less than an inch long with a tuft of fine bristles at the top.

Problems and Pests

Certain species of Inula are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Inula plants are susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the home garden: