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Native Plant Society of Texas

Western Ironweed

Vernonia baldwinii

Other common name(s):

Baldwin's Ironweed, Ironweed

Family:

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Southwestern Tablelands, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Grand Prairie, Limestone Cut Plain, Western Cross Timbers
Southern Post Oak Savanna
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland
Canadian/Cimarron Breaks, Semiarid Canadian Breaks
Northern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Southern Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

3
to
5
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Rocky, Limestone, Caliche, Well Drained, Moist, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Red, Purple

Bloom Season

Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Bees

Maintenance

Once established, Western Ironweed can colonize by rhizomes. Best in natural areas and large meadows where large colonies can be appreciated. Tough, drought tolerant. Needs well-drained conditions. Leave stems until spring to provide nesting habitat for tunnel-nesting bees. Propagation: seed, root division, softwood cutting.

Comments

Blooms July-November. A tall, erect plant with stout and hairy stems. Long, lance-shaped leaves, with serrated edges, grow along the entire length of the stem. The flowers are clusters of red-violet disc flowers that form at the ends of short branches near the top of the plant. The fruit is a cypsela: a dry, one-seeded fruit, usually topped by pappus.

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment In the spring once the ground has warmed up, scatter seeds directly onto the soil surface in a well-prepared bed. Lightly rake the soil to cover the seeds and water them thoroughly. Ironweed seeds need sunlight to germinate, so don’t cover them deeply. They generally germinate within 2-4 weeks. Another method is to fill a seed starting tray or pots with a well-draining seed-starting mix. Moisten the mix with water until it is damp but not waterlogged. Sow the seeds on the surface and press them gently into the soil for good seed-to-soil contact, but do not bury them, as they need light to germinate. Cover the tray or pots with a clear plastic lid or plastic wrap to maintain humidity around the seeds, then ensure the soil stays moist. Place the seed tray or pots in a bright, indirect light or use grow lights to provide the appropriate light levels for germination. Collect the seed once the flowers have fluffed out and produced a white “pappus” – the fluffy parachute-like appendage that helps a seed fly. Usually this happens around October. Allow the seed heads to dry completely before storing in a paper envelope in a cool, dry location.The sooner you sow your seeds, the better their chance at germinating. 1) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-vernonia-baldwinii/ 2) https://www.picturethisai.com/care/propagate/Vernonia_baldwinii.html 3) https://gardenerspath.com/plants/flowers/grow-ironweed/
Clump Division Separate the plant into smaller divisions, each having a healthy root system and several shoots. Dividing the roots too small can impede their ability to establish themselves after transplanting, which may lead to a poor survival rate. Larger divisions tend to recover and grow more vigorously. Plant the divisions into well-prepared soil, spacing them according to the mature size of the plant. Water well and provide adequate sunlight. The best time to divide Ironweed is in early spring or late summer, while the plant is actively growing. Dig up the plant carefully, being sure to loosen the soil around the root ball. 1) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-vernonia-baldwinii/ 2) https://www.picturethisai.com/care/propagate/Vernonia_baldwinii.html
Stem Cutting Remove the leaves from the bottom 2 inches of the stem. Next, dip the cut end of the stem into rooting hormone powder, which will encourage the development of roots. Place the stem cutting into a pot filled with a well-draining soil mix, such as a mixture of peat moss and perlite. Water the cutting thoroughly and place it in a warm and bright location, but not in direct sunlight. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. After about 4-6 weeks, you should start to see roots developing from the cutting. Once roots have formed, you can transplant the new plant into a larger pot or into your garden, taking care not to disturb the roots too much. Take a stem cutting from a healthy and mature plant approximately 4-6 inches in length and taken from the top of the plant. https://plantiary.com/plant/vernonia-baldwinii_19381.html

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason