Herb · Asteraceae family
Common dandelion
Taraxacum officinale
In short a 10-second read
spacing 7¾ in
Where to plant and how much to water
Sun, soil and water.
It grows best in full sun to part shade, in dry to average soil.
Sun
Soil
Watering
Frost
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (69 in).
Plant 7¾ in apart.
Reaches maturity in about 1–1 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
Through the year.
Typical for a temperate climate (four seasons). The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
April–June · yellow
Sowing
direct sowing: March–August
Harvest
March–May
What to plant now (March) full list in March (284) →What to plant now (April) full list in April (323) →What to plant now (May) full list in May (185) →What to plant now (June) full list in June (58) →What to plant now (July) full list in July (26) →What to plant now (August) full list in August (25) →
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does common dandelion flower?
In April–June; the flowers are yellow.
When do I sow common dandelion?
In March–August (direct sowing).
When is common dandelion harvested?
In March–May.
Does common dandelion tolerate shade?
It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.
How much space does common dandelion need?
At maturity 3⅞ in–1 ft 7⅝ in wide and 3⅞ in–1 ft 3¾ in tall; recommended spacing 7¾ in.
Sources (15) Checked 20 October 2026
- plants.ces.ncsu.edu
- rhs.org.uk
- pladias.cz
- redbuttegarden.org
- api.gbif.org
- samen-maier.at
- kraeuter-und-duftpflanzen.de
- ema.europa.eu 2 3 4
- yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EASIN, EASIN 2, Slovakia
Harvest