Tussilago farfara
coltsfoot
Traditionally an ingredient in cough medicine, coltsfoot flowers before its leaves emerge in early spring. Flowers are yellow and similar to dandelions, borne singularly on short scaly stems. Leaves are entire and toothed with a grey tinge. It spreads by means of fleshy but brittle rhizomes, making it a perennial nuisance in the garden border. Flowers provide an early source of nectar for honey bees. Coltsfoot is also a larval food source for moths
Other common names
ass's footbull foot
see moreclay weed
colt herb
common colt's foot
coughwort
dove dock
dummy weed
foal foot
ginger
hoofs
horse foot
horse hoof
sow foot
tushy luck
cleats
cleets
foal's foot
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0–0.1 metreGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Yellow | Green Grey Silver | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Grey Silver | |||
| Autumn | Green Grey Silver | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Potentially harmful
- Contains alkaloids. Wear gloves and wash hands after handling
- Genus
Tussilago is a low-growing herbaceous perennial spread by seeds and rhizomes. Erect, scaly woolly stems produce dandelion-like single flower heads which appear before the crinkly leaves between March and April.
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Europe, SW Asia
How to grow
Cultivation
Coltsfoot is found naturally bare and disturbed ground, especially on heavier soils. Has the potential to be a nuisance in a garden and is best grown in wild areas
Propagation
Propagate by sees or propagate by rhizomes
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Wildflower meadow
- Wildlife gardens
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.