Perennial · Asteraceae family
common sneezeweed
Helenium autumnale
In short a 10-second read
Common sneezeweed (perennial) grows to 0.9–1.5 m tall and 0.6–0.9 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average to moist soil. It flowers in August–October; the flowers are yellow, orange, brown or red. Hardy to −37 °C.
× spread 0.6–0.9 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average to moist soil. Hardy to −37 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
average to moist · watering: moderate
Soil: humus-rich, clay, loamy
Soil pH 5.5–7.5
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 2–5 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
August–October · yellow, orange, brown or red
Pruning
deadhead spent flowers (August–October)
Planting
container plant: March–May, September–November
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −37 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −37 °C
- Dies back in winter and regrows in spring
What to combine it with
Same needs, different flowering.
They share the same sun and soil and flower in other months — so the bed flowers for longer.
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does common sneezeweed flower?
In August–October; the flowers are yellow, orange, brown or red.
Does common sneezeweed tolerate shade?
It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.
How much space does common sneezeweed need?
At maturity 0.6–0.9 m wide and 0.9–1.5 m tall; recommended spacing 60 cm.
Does common sneezeweed survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −37 °C.
Where the data comes from
The data is indicative — we are still comparing it with further sources. Last checked 14 October 2026.
Show sources (16)
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Helenium autumnale
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — Helenium autumnale
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Helenium autumnale
- GBIF Occurrence Search API — Helenium autumnale
- Wikidata (CC0) — Helenium autumnale
- RHS - Helenium autumnale
- Iowa State Extension - How to Plant Perennials
- RHS - How to grow perennial plants
- Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens
- Perennials.com
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EU, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany, Poland, Denmark
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