Toxic Plant Known to be toxic - Toxic to mammals if ingested.
Image of Helenium autumnale
Source: Cbaile19
image of Flowering plant
Helenium autumnale
Common Sneezeweed
Hélénie automnale

Obsolete Names

fall sneezeweed
mountain sneezeweed
swamp sunflower
hélénie d'automne
Seeds available at table Mixed Sun, Wet
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Bloom colour: Yellow Bloom period: Aug - Oct
Max Height: 4.0 feet
Max Width: 2.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
beginner friendly Suitable for beginner gardeners
plant germinate easy Easy to germinate
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape uses:
wetland garden Suitable for wetland garden
rain garden Suitable for rain gardens
container suitable Suitable for container garden
school garden Suitable for school gardens
Ecological Benefits:
Pollinator garden Supports pollinators
butterfly host Butterfly host
Tolerates:
Salt Tolerant Tolerates salt conditions
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
rabbit resistant Rabbit resistant
limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
Special Features and Considerations:

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Helenium autumnale
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent
View taxonomy on Canadensys

View on iNaturalist

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Atlantic Maritime
  • Boreal Plains
  • Boreal Shield
  • Pacific Maritime
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Helenium autumnale

No butterfly data available for this plant.

Specialized Bees Supported by Helenium autumnale

No bee data available for this plant.

Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.

Complementary Plants

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Leucanthemum (Shasta Daisy)
  • Gerbera (Gerbera Daisy)
  • Helianthus).1 (Non-Native Sunflower)
  • NA (Non-Native False Sunflower)

Sowing Information

Download Sowing Label (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Surface sow
  • Sow anytime
  • Stratification duration: 0 days
  • Self-seeding
  • Notes: Can be sown in late spring in warm soil

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: September
  • Harvesting indicator: Seeds easily fall off when you gently pull them off
  • Harvesting mean: Shake seed head in paper bag
  • Seed viability test: No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/4 teaspoon
  • Seed storage: Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • At least one cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
  • Remove non seed material
  • Harvesting video: Watch here

Toxicity Notes

Toxic to mammals if ingested.