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Missouri Prairie Ironweed Wildflowers
Vernonia fasciculata

Prairie Ironweed

Seeds

Packet $3.00

Plants

50 Plug Tray Out of Stock

Description

Prairie Ironweed (Vernonia fasciculata), also known as Common Ironweed, is a tall, bold native perennial named for its tough stems and rust-colored seeds. Its vibrant purple flower clusters bloom from June to September, standing 4 to 6 feet tall and drawing in butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.

This species is deer- and pest-resistant, easy to grow from seed, and a reliable self-seeder—making it a valuable source of food and habitat for birds. It thrives in full sun and medium to medium-wet soils and is native to the central and eastern U.S., flourishing in USDA zones 3–9.

With its height, color, and ecological value, Prairie Ironweed is perfect for meadow plantings, prairie restorations, and naturalized borders.

Seed Details

Weight 0.025 lbs
Dimensions 3.5 × 0.1 × 2.25 in

Range Map

Prairie Ironweed native range

Details

Seeds/Packet500
Germination Code60 Day Cold Moist Stratification
SociabilitySelf-Seeding
Sun RequirementsFull Sun
Soil MoistureWet-Mesic, Wet
BenefitsBees, Birds, Butterflies, Deer Resistant, Pollinators
Height4-5'
USDA Zones3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Bloom ColorPurple
Bloom PeriodJuly, August, September
Plant Spacing2-3'

Seeds & Seed Mixes:

Seeds and seed mixes ship nationwide, year-round, typically within 3–5 business days. If you would like to postpone a seed mix shipment until fall, please note this at checkout.

Live Plants:

Live plants are available year-round while inventory lasts and ship to all states except California, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Alaska, and Hawaii. After your order is placed, we’ll contact you to coordinate a spring shipping window, as many plants are overwintered and ship once dormancy breaks.

Estimated shipping for 2026 plant orders begins in mid-April, weather permitting.

If you’re looking to secure plants in advance or need larger quantities for a project, we offer contract growing options. Contact us to discuss your needs and request a quote. Additional species not listed online may also be available through contract grow.

Live Stakes:

Live stakes are available by request only and must be ordered by submitting a contact form. Ordering is open seasonally from November 1 through February 28. A minimum of 100 stakes per order is required, with at least 25 stakes per species.

Live stakes ship only to the following states: Missouri, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Iowa.

PLS stands for Pure Live Seed, an industry-standard measure of seed quality. It reflects the portion of seed in a batch that is viable and capable of germinating.

What this means for you: when you purchase 1 lb. of PLS seed, the physical weight of the seed you receive will be slightly more than 1 lb. That’s because we account for non-viable seed and natural inert material upfront, so you receive a full pound of live, plantable seed.

Many companies sell bulk seed by total weight, which can include filler and non-viable seed. By pricing based on PLS, we make sure you’re getting exactly what you paid for—high-quality native seed with more predictable, successful germination.

Want to dive deeper? Check out our in-depth article on what PLS is and why it matters.