Mouse-ear Hawkweed
Hieracium pilosella
Last reviewed: August 2026
Toxicity unknown
Mouse-ear Hawkweed (Hieracium pilosella) 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
4"–12" H × 6"–18" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Pollinators
bees, beetles
Native alternatives to Mouse-ear Hawkweed
Mouse-ear Hawkweed is not native to the United States. These natives fill a similar role in a planting, matched on bloom season, bloom color and mature size.
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaMouse-ear hawkweed is a low-growing perennial that forms dense mats with fuzzy, silvery-green leaves and bright yellow dandelion-like flowers. This European native spreads aggressively by runners and can quickly colonize large areas. It blooms from late spring through summer and tolerates poor, dry soils.
In an HOA neighborhood
Mouse-ear Hawkweed takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Aggressive spreader that can overtake lawns
- Considered invasive in many areas
- Creates irregular patchy appearance
Wildlife value
The bright yellow flowers attract bees and beetles during the long blooming season from May through August.
Common questions
- How much sun does Mouse-ear Hawkweed need?
- Mouse-ear Hawkweed grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Mouse-ear Hawkweed bloom?
- Mouse-ear Hawkweed blooms in May, June, July, and August.
- What pollinators does Mouse-ear Hawkweed attract?
- Mouse-ear Hawkweed draws bees and beetles.
- Is Mouse-ear Hawkweed HOA-friendly?
- Mouse-ear Hawkweed takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Mouse-ear Hawkweed? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz