Erigeron

( ehr - RIJ - er - on )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly known as Fleabane, this genus of perennial flowering plants need full sun to light shade and moderate water. Their flowers will attract butterflies to your garden. They are free-bloomers with daisy-shaped flowers and are related to plants like Aster. Flowers are available in white, pink, lavender, or violet, and they usually have yellow centers. Take care when planting these flowers in the landscape, as ingestion of plant parts can be mildly toxic to humans and pets. Plants can also cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.

Erigeron Species and Varietals

The genus Erigeron includes 460 species and is a member of the plant family Asteraceae. Fleabane growing zones vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Erigeron glaucus (Beach Aster, Seaside Daisy)
These flowers are native to the California and Oregon coasts, and grow best in zones 4-6, 15-17 and 22-24. They will burn in hot sun inland. The plant forms a clump of foliage 1 foot tall and 1.5 feet wide with blue-green leaves. Lavender flowers top 2-inch stems. Varieties are outlined below.
'Cape Sebastian'
Gets 6-8 inches tall, and has lavender-pink flowers. 
'Sea Breeze'
Large pink flowers. 
'Arthur Menzies'
To 8 inches tall, with lavender-pink blooms.
'Wayne Roderick' ('W. R.')
Gets to 8 inches tall and has lavender blooms in summer, with larger leaves and is great for warm areas. 

Erigeron karvinskianus (Mexican Daisy, Santa Barbara Daisy)
This species grows best in zones 8, 9, 12-24, H1 and H2 and is native to Mexico, hence the common name 'Mexican Daisy'. This plant has a trailing habit, to 10-20 inches tall and 3 feet wide. Flowers come in pink and white, and it is nearly ever-blooming. This species is great for hanging baskets, in containers and when planted in rock gardens. Variety 'Moerheimii' is a compact grower with lavender-tinted flower heads.
Erigeron speciosus (Aspen Fleabane, Garden Fleabane, Horseweed, Oregon Fleabane, Seaside Daisy, Showy Daisy, Showy Fleabane)
This species is a native of the Pacific Northwest and grows best in zones 1-9 and 14-24. Plants have an erect habit, reaching 2 feet tall and just as wide at maturity, and have flowers that are dark violet or lavender in the straight species. Varieties are outlined and described below.
'Blue Beauty'
Azure-blue flowers.
'Darkest of All'
​Flowers are dark violet-blue.
Erigeron speciosus macranthus
This is also called Aspen Daisy, and has 3-5 flowers per stalk.
'Forster's Liebling'
With pink flowers.
'Strahlenmeer'
Light violet-colored blooms.
'Pink Jewel'
Blooms are various shades of pink.
'Schneewittchen' ('Snow White')
Blooms are a true white.

Caring for Erigeron

Grow Erigeron in a spot in the garden that receives full sun exposure; between 6 and 8 hours of direct sun each day will result in the best foliage growth and blooms. Erigeron will adapt to most soil types, but growth is best in fertile soil amended with organic matter. They prefer a soil pH of between 6.0 and 8.0.  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. These plants grow well in sandy soils, and need their substrate to drain quite fast. Erigeron can be planted either in-ground or in containers. Water new plantings regularly as they form a strong root system. At maturity, Erigeron plants are considered to be drought-tolerant, able to get by on rainwater aloe for many months out of the year, with supplemental waterings during periods of extended drought. If growing Erigeron in a container, water whenever the top two inches of soil feels dry. Feed with a dressing of organic compost each year in early springtime, adding some to the area before planting and working it into the soil. Deadhead plants as individual flowers fade to neaten up its look. Cut the entire plant back when blooming slows down; this will encourage new bushy growth and more flowering. Divide yearly in late fall or early spring every one or two years to maintain plant health.

Propagation

The most straightforward way to propagate Erigeron is through division of existing plants. This process will need to be completed every year to every few years (depending on the species and cultivar grown) to ensure the best health for plants. Fleabane can also be propagated via seed, though this method can result in offspring that do not have the exact same qualities as the parent plant. To propagate your Fleabane plant, follow the instructions below.

Propagating Erigeron by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost, and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in spring or fall (after the plant has entered dormancy and been cut to the ground, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every one or two years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. As a general rule of thumb, when plants start to struggle or not bloom well, it is a good indicator that the plant needs to be divided. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
  1. Gather your materials. Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the roots. Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
  2. Start to tease apart the roots with your gloved fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section.
  3. Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly. 
  4. Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout!

Propagating Erigeron by Seed
  1. Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
  2. Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on Erigeron plants are left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out, you can harvest the seeds. Cut the flowering heads off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will begin to release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
  3. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes between 1 and 3 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
  4. Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Erigeron seed heads are rounded and carry many light seeds that have feathery attachments.
Erigeron seeds.

Problems and Pests

Erigeron, or Fleabane, plants do not typically suffer from many pest or disease issues in the landscape. From time to time, they may have problems with the following:
  • Leaf Spot
  • Southern Blight
  • Rust
  • Powdery Mildew
  • Spider Mites
  • Whiteflies
For more information on these pests and diseases, including how to treat and manage them, consult the following pages:
​

Gallery

This water-wise front walkup features Santa Barbara Daisies.
These cottage garden classic flowers are wonderful along pathways.
These are versatile plants which can grow in many different situations.
Erigeron is commonly included in mixed containers.
Bees are important pollinators of Erigeron plants.
In addition to white, flower colors include pinks and purples.

Videos

An introduction to Erigeron.
Learn how to sow Erigeron seeds,

Resources

How to Plant and Grow Fleabane
Erigeron - Growing Guide
Erigeron karvinskianus Care: Growing Mexican Daisy
Gardening 101: Fleabane
How to Grow Erigeron
Wikipedia: Erigeron
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 305, Erigeron
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
​