Skip

Elecampane Inula helenium

How to sow elecampane: Direct seed indoors or outdoors, division, root cuttings

Sun requirement for elecampane: Plant in Partial Sun

Nobody is growing this yet. You could be the first!

Elecampane, also known as Wild Sunflower, is a perennial flowering herb in the Asteraceae, or Sunflower, family. It is native to Europe and Asia and grown for the medicinal properties of its roots, which are harvested in the fall of its second year. Like a sunflower, Elecampane's stem can grow to heights of 150cm. It's large, toothed leaves have a thick layer of wool on the underside. The bright yellow flowers are 5-8cm in diameter and resemble ragged sunflowers. Elecampane thrives in moist soils and partial shade. It's mucilaginous, thick, octopus-like roots have a bitter taste and antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. They are used to stimulate the immune and digestive systems, and to treat coughs, asthma, bronchitis, the flu, and skin conditions like scabies, herpes, and acne. The plant can be processed to yield a blue dye.

Image of elecampane

Predictions

Perennial

living more than two years

Height

150cm

Row Spacing

60cm

Photos

Elecampane crops

more photos ยป

Crop Map

Only plantings by members who have set their locations are shown on this map.

What people are saying about elecampanes

Nobody has posted about elecampanes yet.

Sign in or sign up to post your tips and experiences growing elecampanes.

How to grow elecampanes

Scientific names

Inula helenium

Alternate names

horse-heal
elfdock

See who's planted elecampanes

Elecampane harvests

Nobody has harvested this crop yet.

Find elecampane seeds

There are no seeds available to trade on Growstuff right now.