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Camphorweed

Heterotheca subaxillaris

Last reviewed: October 2026

Camphorweed is a drought tolerant forb with small yellow daisy-like flowers that bloom from June through November. It grows well in full sun on sandy soils, dunes, and disturbed roadside areas.

Camphorweed (Heterotheca subaxillaris)
Photo: (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman

Toxicity unknown

Camphorweed (Heterotheca subaxillaris) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

12"–36" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov

Native to

AL, AR, AZ, CA and 25 more states

Pollinators

butterflies, bees

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

North American DesertsArizona/New Mexico MountainsChihuahuan DesertsHigh PlainsSouthwestern TablelandsCentral Great PlainsGreat PlainsCross TimbersEdwards PlateauSouthern Texas PlainsTexas Blackland PrairiesEast Central Texas PlainsWestern Gulf Coastal PlainSouth Central PlainsEastern Temperate ForestsOzark HighlandsCentral Irregular PlainsPiedmontWestern Corn Belt PlainsMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainSoutheastern PlainsInterior River Valleys and HillsMississippi Alluvial PlainMississippi Valley Loess PlainsSouthern Coastal PlainSouthern Florida Coastal PlainMadrean ArchipelagoSonoran Basin and RangeAtlantic Coastal Pine BarrensSouthern California/Northern Baja Coast

Camphorweed is a native Texas annual that produces bright yellow daisy-like flowers from summer through late fall. This compact wildflower grows 1-3 feet tall and thrives in sunny, dry conditions with minimal care.

Growing Camphorweed

Grow Camphorweed in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

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How to care for Camphorweed, by region

How to care for Camphorweed where it is actually grown: year-round basics plus what to do each season, region by region, with the sources for each.

Care guidance last updated: September 2026

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Mississippi Alluvial Plain (includes Memphis, TN)

Year-round

Camphorweed is a native, sun loving wildflower well suited to the sandy or disturbed soils and hot summers around Memphis, producing yellow daisy like flowers that pollinators favor.

  • Give it full sun and well drained soil, ideally sandy or gritty rather than heavy clay.
  • Tolerates poor, disturbed soil and roadside conditions, so it is forgiving in a new bed.
  • Crushed foliage has a strong camphor like scent, which is normal for this plant.
  • Flowers are a strong draw for native bees through summer and fall.
  • Behaves as an annual or short lived biennial, so expect it to reseed rather than persist as one long term clump.

Fall

Bloom continues into fall in Memphis, after which camphorweed sets seed for next year.

  • Flowering typically continues into fall before the first frost ends the season.
  • Let seed heads mature and dry on the plant so goldfinches and other birds can feed on them.
  • Seed that drops now becomes next year's plants, so leave some seed heads in place if you want it to return.
  • No need to cut back yet, since the plant is still contributing to the fall garden.

Winter

As an annual or biennial, camphorweed is killed back by Memphis's first fall frost and does not need winter protection.

  • Plants die back after the first fall frost, which averages around early November in Memphis.
  • Leave dead stalks and seed heads standing over winter for birds and to allow remaining seed to drop.
  • Cut back and clear old growth in late winter before new seedlings emerge.
  • No mulching or winter protection is needed since this species relies on reseeding rather than overwintering as a perennial.

Spring

Camphorweed germinates from seed in warm, sunny soil as spring progresses toward the Memphis growing season.

  • Let seedlings germinate in sunny, well drained spots rather than transplanting, since it dislikes disturbance.
  • Thin crowded seedlings to give plants room to branch out.
  • No fertilizer is needed, since rich soil can make it leggy.
  • Improve drainage with sand or grit if your Memphis bed is heavy clay.

Summer

Camphorweed blooms through the Memphis summer and into fall, tolerating heat, humidity, and drought once established.

  • Established plants handle Memphis summer heat and dry spells without extra watering.
  • Avoid overwatering, especially in heavier clay soil, since it is prone to root problems if kept too wet.
  • Yellow blooms open through summer and are a reliable nectar source for native bees.
  • No deadheading is required to keep it flowering.

Sources: USDA PLANTS Profile: Heterotheca subaxillaris, ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Heterotheca subaxillaris, National Weather Service Memphis: Frost and Freeze Data

In an HOA neighborhood

Camphorweed is an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement. Maintenance level: moderate. Tidiness: 2 out of 5.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Requires seasonal replanting
  • May have messy dieback

Wildlife value

The long blooming period provides nectar for butterflies and native bees from summer into fall. Its abundant flowers make it particularly valuable for late-season pollinators.

Common questions

When does camphorweed bloom?
Camphorweed generally flowers from June through November, with small yellow daisy-like blooms appearing through summer and into fall.
What pollinators does camphorweed attract?
Camphorweed draws butterflies and bees to its late season yellow flowers, which provide a nectar source when many other plants have stopped blooming.
What growing conditions does camphorweed need?
This forb prefers full sun and well drained, often sandy soil, and it tolerates low water once it is established.
Is camphorweed a good plant for a low maintenance garden?
Yes, camphorweed handles heat, sandy soil, and dry spells well, making it suitable for low water plantings and disturbed or coastal sites.
Is Camphorweed HOA-friendly?
Camphorweed is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

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Common plant problems, and what to check first

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