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Native Plant Society of Texas

Woolly Ironweed

Vernonia lindheimeri

Other common name(s):

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, Edwards Plateau
Eastern Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie, Limestone Cut Plain, Western Cross Timbers
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

1
to
3
ft.

Spread

1
to
3
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Caliche, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Purple

Bloom Season

Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Nectar Insects, Bees

Maintenance

Tough, drought tolerant. Not as prone to colonize like others in this genus. Leave stems until spring to provide nesting habitat for tunnel-nesting bees. Needs well-drained conditions. Found mostly in the Edwards Plateau and Cross Timbers Ecoregions. Few seeds are fertile, so sow thickly when soil temperature is warm. Propagation: seed, root division, softwood cutting.

Comments

Blooms June-September. Woolly Ironweed is an upright herb with clusters of colorful, showy lavender to purple disc flowers at the end of stems. The undersides of the linear leaves are hairy, hence the name “woolly ironweed”. 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 The best time to propagate woolly ironweed is in early spring. During this period, temperatures and light conditions are favorable for seed germination. Sowing seeds in spring ensures they benefit from the increasing sunlight and warmth, which promotes healthy growth. This season also allows the plants to establish themselves before the harsher summer conditions. Prepare a well-draining seed starting mix. Fill seed trays or pots with this mix, ensuring it is lightly moistened but not waterlogged. Sow the woolly ironweed seeds on the surface of the soil. Lightly press the seeds into the soil but do not cover them with soil as they require light for germination. Mist the soil lightly to keep it moist. Cover the seed trays with a clear plastic lid or plastic wrap to increase humidity, but ensure there is some ventilation to prevent mold growth. Place trays in a warm location with indirect sunlight. Once seedlings are large enough to handle and have developed true leaves, transplant them into individual pots or directly into the garden, maintaining a spacing of about 12-18 inches apart. Collect seeds from mature woolly ironweed plants. Ensure the seeds are dry and free of any moisture to prevent mold or rot during storage or sowing. 1) https://www.picturethisai.com/care/propagate/Vernonia_lindheimeri.html 2) https://www.picturethisai.com/care/propagate/Vernonia_lindheimeri.html 3) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-vernonia-lindheimeri/?print=print
Clump Division Separate the clumps: Using a sharp knife or garden trowel, divide the root ball into smaller clumps, each with at least a few healthy stems. Plant the divisions: Replant the divisions in a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Water them thoroughly. Plant the divisions: Replant the divisions in a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Water them thoroughly. Carefully dig up the plant, making sure to preserve as much of the root system as possible.
Stem Cutting Remove lower leaves: Strip off the leaves below the soil line. Dip in rooting hormone: Optional, but beneficial, dip the cut end in rooting hormone. Plant in rooting medium: Fill a pot with a rooting mix and insert the cutting, ensuring it’s firmly in place. Keep it moist: Maintain a consistently moist environment and place the pot in a bright, indirect light spot. Wait patiently: Depending on conditions, cuttings might take weeks or months to root. Select a healthy stem that’s not flowering, ideally with some new growth. Use a sharp knife or scissors to make a clean cut at a 45-degree angle just below a leaf node. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-vernonia-lindheimeri/?print=print

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