Autumn goldenrod is a native herbaceous perennial in the daisy family (Asteraceae) that is commonly found in dry rocky open forests and rocky places. It is frequently found in locations where the soil contains calcium carbonate, which makes the soil chalky. This plant grows 1-3 feet tall and prefers full sun to partial shade. It tolerates average to poor and rocky well-drained soil. Autumn goldenrod spreads by rhizomes and wind-blown seeds. Deadheading after flowering will help control the spread of its seeds. To encourage more blooms, remove the spent clusters of flowers. It is quite drought tolerant and deer-resistant. The many bright yellow flowers bloom on one side of the branch and appear in the fall. The basal leaves are large with stem leaves being smaller. The seeds that follow are carried by the wind. Blooming the same time of year as ragweed, goldenrod is erroneously thought to cause allergies. This plant can be difficult to find but the cultivar 'Golden Fleece' is readily available. Use in the native/pollinator garden, in the border, in naturalized sites, on slopes or in rock gardens. Pollinators will visit the flowers. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Powdery mildew, leaf spot and leaf rust may be issues affecting this plant. Aphids, beetles are minor problems. More information on Solidago .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet; 3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Erect; Spreading
Texture
Fine
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate; Rosulate
Leaf shape
Cordate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Cordate basal rosette of leaves on a long and winged petiole. Stem leaves are smaller and ovate to lanceolate
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Good Cut; Showy
Flower form
Head; Panicle
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Blooms from July to October with many small flowers clustered along the stems. The flower heads are arranged in panicles with 3-6 yellow ray flowers and 3-6 yellow disc flowers per head.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The achene has short bristle-like pappus to help with wind dispersal. Displays from September to November.
Stem detail
Multi-branched stems.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Eastern U.S.A.
Distribution
AL , GA , IL , IN , KY , MS , NC , OH , TN , VA , WV
Wildlife value
This plant supports Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) larvae. Attracts butterflies and birds.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Pollinators; Small Mammals; Songbirds