•Status in Florida: Native
•Size at Maturity: Typically grows 6 to 12 feet tall.
•Phenology: Herbaceous perennial with stout, upright stems, lance-shaped leaves, and clusters of small, purple flowers that bloom in late summer to fall.
•Life Cycle: Perennial
•Bloom Season: Late summer to fall
•Deciduous, Dioecious, Evergreen: Deciduous
•Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
•Soil Texture: Well-drained sandy or loamy soils; tolerant of various soil types
•Soil pH: Tolerant of a wide range, but prefers slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5-7.0)
•Moisture Requirements: Prefers moderately moist soil, but can tolerate drought once established
•Tolerance to Salt Spray: Low tolerance
•Recommended Landscape Uses: Native plant gardens, meadows, naturalized areas, rain gardens
•Maintenance Tips: Low maintenance; prune after flowering to maintain shape and remove spent flower heads; may self-seed and naturalize in favorable conditions
•Considerations: Giant Ironweed can spread by rhizomes and self-seeding, and may require management to prevent it from becoming invasive.
•Deer and/or Rabbit Resistance: Moderately resistant; typically not preferred by deer or rabbits
•Edible: Not typically consumed
•Medicinal Uses: Not commonly used in herbal medicine
•Toxicity to Pets: Not known to be toxic to pets, but ingestion of large quantities of plant material may cause gastrointestinal upset.
•Florida Native Companion Plant: Goldenrod (Solidago spp.), Tickseed (Coreopsis spp.)
•Wildlife Benefit: Attracts pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and moths; provides habitat and food for various insects and birds
•Caterpillar Host Plant: Giant Ironweed is a host plant for the caterpillars of various butterfly species, including the American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis) and the Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui).