Dandelion (Taraxacum expandens)
Care, watering, light and tips for Dandelion on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Asteraceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 3 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 0–35 °C
About Dandelion
Taraxacum expandens, known as spinkmaskros in Swedish, is a dandelion species characterized by its basal leaf rosettes that grow more extensively and flattened than other common varieties. It produces classic bright yellow flowers that transform into seed-dispersing 'puffballs', adding a wild and natural touch to meadows or low-maintenance gardens.
Care tips
This species thrives in full sun to partial shade and is highly adaptable to different soil types, though it prefers well-drained ones. It requires moderate watering, being quite drought-tolerant once established. Its ideal substrate is average garden soil, with no major nutritional demands. A common mistake is trying to completely eradicate it from lawns, as its resilience and self-seeding capacity make it a persistent species; it's better to accept it or manage it in specific areas.
How to save a dying Dandelion
- Warning signs
- Wilted or yellowing leaves, sparse or no flowering, weak growth.
- First aid
- Transplant to rich, well-draining soil, water moderately if dry, remove spent flowers.
- What kills it
- Poor, compacted or waterlogged soil. Excessive herbicides.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes! It's very resilient. With basic care, it recovers easily.