Taraxacum officinale (European Dandelion) is a common herb plant that is native to temperate regions of Europe and Asia. Dandelion is one of the most recognisable plants with their yellow button flowers and seed balls that easily disperse. Though highly invasive, Dandelion is popular as a medicinal herb, is a very nutritious vegetable and is an excellent source for green manure.
Suitable for Temperate, Dry and Sub-Tropical climates.
Taraxacum officinale has many other common names that include Blowball, Lion’s Tooth, Milk-Witch, Faceclock, Swine’s Snout, Wild Endive, Priest’s Crown, Cankerwort, Yellow Gowan, Pee-a-Bed, Irish Daisy and simply Common Dandelion.
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Growth
European Dandelion is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows to a height of up to 40cm (16 inches) by 20cm (8 inches) wide. Taraxacum officinale is adaptable to a wide variety of soil conditions and is drought tolerant. Though the plant itself is tolerant of frost and cold conditions, it susceptible to damage when flowering or producing seeds.
Dandelion is very easy to grow from seed and will sprout with 7-21 days with little moisture or care and with a little help will start to produce flowers in around 80-90 days.
It is highly recommended to prune the stalks before they produce seed balls as Dandelions can become extremely invasive.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Asteraceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate, Dry and Sub-Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
0-32°C / 32-90°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well-draining, but will succeed in most soils.
LOCATION:
Full Sun.
HEIGHT:
Up to 40cm (16 inches)
WIDTH:
Up to 20cm (8 inches)
pH:
5.0-8.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Perennial.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Light
POLLINATION:
Bees.
MATURITY:
80-90 days
GERMINATION RATES:
85-90%
GERMINATION TIME:
7-21 days at temperatures between 10-20°C / 50-68°F
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 1100
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
Yes.
EDIBLE:
Yes.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 7 years.
FACTS ABOUT TARAXACUM OFFICINALE (European Dandelion)
Traditional Chinese Medicine have been using Dandelion leaves for its diuretic abilities for around 2,000 years while the French have dubbed the plant ‘pissenlit’, which basically means “bed wetter.” Dandelion Tea is not recommended before bed or for those on blood pressure or blood thinning medication.
Taraxacum officinale is one of the world’s most successful plants, with prominence or invasiveness found in temperate regions of six continents. This success lies in its ability to not only produce nearly 100 million seeds per hectare, but they can also spread them for up to 8km (5 miles).
Roots of the plant can be harvested in during their second autumn, dried and roasted to make a coffee substitute. Dandelion leaves are also used in salads and are high in Vitamins A and C and Iron, Phosphorus and Potassium. The flowers can be made into a wine.
Traditional and modern herbal medicine practitioners have used Dandelion internally to treat a range of problems including gallstones, jaundice, gout, acne, joint pain, skin conditions, urinary disorders, gall bladder, acne and eczema.
For more information regarding the benefits of European Dandelion please click here.
