This is one of the most gratifying plants to grow and make medicine with since the plants get big quick! Once established they are easy to dig and divide in perpetuity. Likes sun, maybe 3 ft of room, at least 6 hours of direct light, and a little extra water during the summer. Inula helenium is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in).It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile.Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
