Platte River Groundsel
Packera plattensis
Last reviewed: August 2026
Packera plattensis, or Platte River groundsel, is a low-growing forb with yellow blooms from April through June, well suited to prairies and open woodlands with medium to dry soil.
Toxicity unknown
Platte River Groundsel (Packera plattensis) 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
12"–24" H × 6"–12" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun
Native to
AR, CO, GA, IA and 21 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies, beetles
Before you buy
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Packera plattensis is a native prairie wildflower that produces clusters of bright yellow daisy-like flowers from spring through early summer. This compact perennial forms neat clumps with attractive foliage and reliable blooms. It thrives in partial sun with average moisture conditions.
Growing Platte River Groundsel
Grow Platte River Groundsel in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 12 to 24 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
Platte River Groundsel is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
Wildlife value
The cheerful yellow flowers attract native bees, butterflies, and beneficial beetles during its extended bloom period. This plant serves as an important early season nectar source for pollinators.
Common questions
- When does Platte River groundsel bloom?
- Packera plattensis typically flowers from April through June, producing clusters of small yellow blooms atop stems rising above a basal rosette of leaves.
- What pollinators visit Platte River groundsel?
- Bees, butterflies, and beetles are common visitors to Packera plattensis, drawn to its early-season yellow flower heads.
- What growing conditions does Platte River groundsel prefer?
- This forb does best with part sun and medium moisture, though it tolerates a range from full sun to part shade and from medium to drier soils once established.
- What habitat is Platte River groundsel typically found in?
- It grows in prairies, open grasslands, and disturbed or sandy soils across the central and eastern United States, often alongside other early-blooming prairie forbs.
- Is Platte River Groundsel HOA-friendly?
- Platte River 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 Platte River Groundsel? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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