Description
Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale), also known as common sneezeweed, is a cheerful native wildflower known for its bright golden-yellow blooms that light up the landscape in late summer and early fall. The daisy-like flowers have drooping yellow petals surrounding rounded centers, adding color to prairies, wet meadows, and other late-season plantings.
Despite its name, Sneezeweed does not cause seasonal allergies. The name comes from its historical use in powdered snuff, which was used to induce sneezing.
Sneezeweed grows best in full sun and prefers medium to moist soils. It is commonly found in wet meadows, prairies, and along streambanks, making it well suited to rain gardens and other consistently moist areas. The nectar-rich flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, providing an important late-season food source for pollinators.
