Goldenrod
Seed # 51
Basic Information
- Seed Number
- 51
- Seed Name
- Goldenrod
- Variety
- Not recorded
- Category
- Medicinal
- Plant Family
- Asteraceae
- Plant Type
- Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
- 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 1
- Last Recommended Planting Date
- Nov 30
- Plantable Months
- March, April, May, October, November
- Indoor Start
- Mar 1 – Apr 1
- Direct Sow
- Mar 15 – May 15
- Transplant
- May 5 – May 31
- Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost
- Not recorded
- Transplant Weeks After Frost
- 0 weeks
- Germination Days
- 10–30 days
- Harvest/Maturity
- Not recorded
- Succession Planting
- Not recorded
Growing Conditions
- Ideal Soil Temperature
- Not recorded
- Planting Depth
- Surface sow
- Plant Spacing
- 12–24 in
- Row Spacing
- Not recorded
- Thin-To Spacing
- Not recorded
- Sun Requirements
- Full sun; some species tolerate partial shade
- Water Needs
- Dry to moderate moisture for many species; exact requirements depend on species
- Soil Preference
- Generally adaptable to average or poor soils; species-specific moisture preferences vary
- Minimum Container Size
- for many; deep-rooted types prefer ground
- Plant Height
- Not recorded
- Perennial/Biennial Status
- Perennial
- Container Friendly
- No
- Trellis/Support Needed
- No
- Frost Tolerant
- Yes
- Heat Tolerant
- Yes
- Drought Tolerant
- Yes
- Pollinator Friendly
- Yes
- Medicinal
- Yes
Garden Uses
Container Cut Flower Dye Medicinal Pollinator Seed Saving TeaCompanion Planting
| Plant | Relationship | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Calendula | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Calendula | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Echinacea | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Echinacea | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Echinacea | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Echinacea | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Echinacea | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Lavender | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Lavender | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Oregano | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Sage | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Sage | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Thyme | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Yarrow | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Yarrow | Good Companion | Not recorded |
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
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Zone 6B: Many Solidago species are hardy and native or well adapted to the Great Lakes region. Exact species was not provided, so species-specific height, spacing and germination values are intentionally left null.
Germination: Many goldenrods can be surface-sown because seeds are very small. Exact dormancy or stratification requirements vary among Solidago species.
Harvest: For traditional herbal use, flowering tops are generally harvested when flowers are opening. Exact medicinal use depends on species.
Seed Saving: Allow flower clusters to mature until seeds develop their fluffy wind-dispersal structures, then collect before they blow away.
Special Care: Many goldenrods spread through rhizomes and seed and can naturalize rapidly. The unspecified species prevents reliable assignment of a mature size or container recommendation.
Research Source: NC State Extension Plant Toolbox — https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/solidago/ — Solidago perennial habit, soil adaptability, drought tolerance, rhizomatous spread, pollinator value and historical healing use
Research Source: Strictly Medicinal Seeds — https://strictlymedicinalseeds.com/product/goldenrod-european-solidago-virgaurea-packet-of-50-seeds-organic/ — example medicinal Solidago use and surface sowing in fall or spring
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