•Status in Florida: Native
•Size at Maturity: Typically grows 3 to 6 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide.
•Phenology: Perennial herb with tall, slender stems, narrow leaves, and bright yellow, daisy-like 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
•Soil pH: Tolerant of a wide range, but prefers slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-7.0)
•Moisture Requirements: Prefers consistently moist to wet soil, but can tolerate occasional periods of drought once established
•Tolerance to Salt Spray: Low tolerance
•Recommended Landscape Uses: Butterfly gardens, pollinator gardens, native plant gardens, rain gardens, bog gardens, naturalized areas
•Maintenance Tips: Low maintenance; prune as needed to maintain shape and remove dead or damaged foliage; may require staking if grown in exposed locations
•Considerations: Swamp Sunflower can spread vigorously in favorable conditions 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: Traditionally used in herbal medicine for various purposes, including as a treatment for fevers and respiratory ailments, but use caution as some species may have toxic properties.
•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.), Blazing Star (Liatris spp.)
•Wildlife Benefit: Attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies; provides habitat and food for various insects
•Caterpillar Host Plant: Swamp Sunflower is a host plant for the caterpillars of various butterfly species, including the Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis) and the Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui).