Elecampane

Basic Information

Seed Number

35

Seed Name

Elecampane

Variety

Not recorded

Category

Medicinal

Plant Family

Asteraceae

Plant Type

Elecampane (Inula helenium)

Planting Method

Direct Sow or Transplant

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Mar 15

Last Recommended Planting Date

Jun 15

Plantable Months

March, April, May, June

Indoor Start

Mar 15 – Apr 15

Direct Sow

Apr 15 – May 31

Transplant

Apr 15 – Jun 15

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

Not recorded

Transplant Weeks After Frost

Not recorded

Germination Days

10–14 days

Harvest/Maturity

Not recorded

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

60-70°F

Planting Depth

Surface sow or barely cover

Plant Spacing

24 in

Row Spacing

36 in

Thin-To Spacing

24 in

Sun Requirements

Full sun to partial shade

Water Needs

Prefers consistent moisture; approximately 1 in/week during dry weather

Soil Preference

Moist, fertile, well-drained soil; tolerates a range of garden soils

Minimum Container Size

10 gal

Plant Height

4-6 ft

Perennial/Biennial Status

Perennial

Container Friendly

Yes

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

Yes

Heat Tolerant

No

Drought Tolerant

No

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

Yes

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

MSU Extension; Detroit frost dates; Almanac Detroit

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Start indoors or direct sow; many benefit from cold stratification
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: Apr 15 – Jun 15; Sep 1 – Oct 15 for fall sowing
Germination Time: 10–30+ days
Days to Harvest / Bloom: Blooms/harvest often year 2
Container Friendly: Yes for many; deep-rooted types prefer ground
Succession / Reusable Notes: Great for permanent herb/medicinal beds.
Zone 6B Notes: Many medicinal perennials need patience and may not bloom first year.
Companion Plants: Yarrow, echinacea, calendula, lavender, sage, thyme, oregano, clover, native flowers
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Crowded/overly wet beds
Sources: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar | Detroit frost dates: https://www.ufseeds.com/vegetable-planting-calendar-detroit-michigan.html | Almanac Detroit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/MI/Detroit

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Hardy perennial in Zone 6B. Start indoors in early spring or direct sow in mid-spring. Young seedlings can tolerate some light frost and established crowns overwinter outdoors.
Germination: Light-dependent germinator. Sow on the soil surface or cover only very shallowly. Germination is commonly around 12 days.
Harvest: Medicinal roots are generally harvested from established plants rather than first-year seedlings; fall is commonly used for root harvest after tops begin declining.
Seed Saving: Allow flower heads to mature and dry during dry weather before collecting the light, pappus-bearing seeds.
Special Care: Large perennial that needs room. Keep adequately moist and consider placement toward the back of beds because mature plants can reach several feet tall.
Research Source: Strictly Medicinal Seeds — https://strictlymedicinalseeds.com/product/elecampane-official-inula-helenium-seeds-organic/ — Inula helenium identity, spring sowing, light-dependent germination, approximately 12-day germination, transplant tolerance, sun and spacing
Research Source: Strictly Medicinal Seeds — https://strictlymedicinalseeds.com/medicinal-herb-seeds/medicinal-herb-seeds-e-g/ — classification as a medicinal herb seed
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]