Zigzag Goldenrod Solidago flexicaulis

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Wildflower, Southeast Michigan native plant

Easy 

Starting indoors

Start 6-8 weeks before last frost date. Requires a 60 day cold stratification period. Sow seeds shallowly and keep evenly moist until seedlings emerge. Place seeds in moist soil or moist paper towel and store in fridge for 60 days

Direct sowing in garden

Plant seeds out once warm temps become normal and sprouts/seedlings have emerged

Easy

Let plant mature. It will become brown and dry with fuzzy seed heads. Cut the heads off and place in a brown paper bag to dry for about 2 weeks. Store in dry, dark, cool conditions

🌅 Outdoors
Can be grown in containers or in the garden

☀️ Full Sun

• Temps: 🌡️Tolerates cold and warmer temps 

• Hardiness Zones: 🗺️ 2-8 (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map - Michigan)

• Humidity: 🌫️Tolerant of a range of humidity levels. Varieties differ in tolerance

• Water Conditions: 💧 Water younger plants on a weekly schedule, keeping moist but not soggy. Mature plants will only require watering if rainfall is scarce

• pH: 🧪 Acidic to neutral   

• Soil conditions: 🌱 Not too picky but does need well-draining soil. Tolerates sandy, rocky or clay soils. No fertilizer or organic rich soil, this may result in a plant that is leggy (see Terms to Know)

Summer to fall

Can be attacked by aphids & beetles although this is not usually fatal to the plant. Over-watering may lead to root rot or fungal problems

Tolerates a little shade but this may result in less flowering