Golden Groundsel
Packera obovata
Last reviewed: August 2026
Packera obovata, or golden groundsel, produces bright yellow flower clusters in April and May and grows well in open woodlands, rocky slopes, and stream banks across the eastern and central United States.
Toxicity unknown
Golden Groundsel (Packera obovata) 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
part sun
Water
medium
Size
6"–12" H × 6"–12" W
Bloom
Apr, May
Native to
AL, AR, CT, FL and 26 more states
Pollinators
bees, beetles, flies
Before you buy
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Packera obovata is a native wildflower that forms low, neat clumps of rounded leaves topped with cheerful yellow daisy-like flowers in spring. This compact perennial stays small and tidy, making it suitable for front gardens and foundation plantings. The bright blooms appear in April and May, providing early season color when few other plants are flowering.
Growing Golden Groundsel
Grow Golden Groundsel in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 6 to 12 inches tall and spread 6 to 12 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Golden Groundsel is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, mid zone.
- Foliage dies back in summer heat
- May self-seed in favorable conditions
Wildlife value
The spring flowers attract native bees, beneficial beetles, and flies when few other nectar sources are available. This early blooming period makes it particularly valuable for supporting pollinators emerging from winter dormancy.
Common questions
- When does golden groundsel bloom?
- Packera obovata blooms in April and May, sending up clusters of small yellow daisy-like flowers above its rosette of rounded basal leaves.
- What growing conditions suit Packera obovata best?
- This plant does well in part sun with medium moisture, and it also tolerates drier soils and lighter shade once its roots are established, making it a good fit for woodland edges and rocky slopes.
- What insects visit the flowers of golden groundsel?
- Bees, beetles, and flies are common visitors to Packera obovata, feeding on nectar and pollen during its spring bloom period.
- Does Packera obovata stay green in winter?
- The basal leaves of Packera obovata often persist through winter in milder climates, giving the plant a semi-evergreen habit before new growth emerges in spring.
- Is Golden Groundsel HOA-friendly?
- Golden Groundsel is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low 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.
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 Golden Groundsel? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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