Arnica Species, American Arnica, Chamisso's Arnica, Leafy Arnica

Arnicachamissonis

Family
Asteraceae (ass-ter-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Arnica (ARN-ee-kuh)
Species
chamissonis (kam-ISS-oh-nis)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Herbaceous
Height
6-12 in. (15-30 cm)
Spacing
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Danger
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
Bright Yellow
Bloom Time
Late Winter/Early Spring
Mid Spring
Other Details
Category
Herbs
Perennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
4.6 to 5.0 (highly acidic)
5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic)
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
Seed Collecting
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Seed does not store well; sow as soon as possible
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Delta, Colorado

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

1
positive
2
neutrals
1
negative
Sort By:
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B
Cedarhome, WA (Zone 8b) | October 2009 | positive

Spreads quickly by rhizomes, looks scrappy in late summer, so suggest planting it below something to cover it. Nice herb.

H
| October 2002 | negative

When used externally, this plant may cause a severe reaction in people with a sensitivity to sesquiterpenes of the helenalin type. Arnic...Read More

S
Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) | July 2002 | neutral

Can also be used to treat diaper rash.

P
Westbrook, ME (Zone 5a) | November 2001 | neutral

This medicinal herb has small, aromatic, orange-yellow daisy-like flowers. It’s very similar in appearance and active ingredients to th...Read More

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