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Goldenrods will put on their best showy colors if planted in full sun, but they’ll make do with only partial sunshine. Mostly, they prefer dry to medium moisture and acidic pH, but a few species readily grow in wetter meadow-like conditions. Shop around for the right cultivar and species for your location, as these perennials can be around for a while.

Goldenrod looks best in larger plantings. Use patches to bring out the color and allow it to take hold in a spot. It also looks perfect as a border plant along a fence mixed with other natives.

When to Plant Goldenrod

Goldenrod nursery starts can be planted in spring or early autumn. If planting in the fall, strive to get them in the ground at least six weeks before the ground freezes or about four weeks before your first frost.

Goldenrod seeds need stratification, or cold, moist treatment, to break dormancy. Most species germinate best with 60 days of cold exposure. If planting indoors, start cold-treating your goldenrod seeds in the refrigerator two months before planting. Start goldenrod from seed indoors about 6-8 weeks before your last frost in spring, and start hardening them off after the frosts leave.

If planting outdoors, fall sowing is a great way to let nature take care of the stratification process. Plant the seeds any time before the ground freezes, and let winter weather do the rest.

How to Plant Goldenrod

Young goldenrod plants can be found in spring in the native plant section of larger garden centers or ordered online. They are also cooperative to start from seed for better selection and lower expense. The seeds are small, and one packet will contain several hundred. Half an ounce to an ounce can often be purchased for around $25 and will thickly seed a thousand-square-foot native pollinator patch.

To Plant Goldenrod Plants

• Dig a hole about as deep and a little wider than the current root ball. While a hand trowel is sufficient for this size hole, using a garden spade will make short work of loosening the soil in a larger area for easier planting.
• Trim off any girdling or circling roots, and score the root ball if the goldenrod is pot-bound to encourage new root growth.
• Place the plant in the hole, adjusting the depth by filling or digging as needed.
• Fill the hole with the soil you removed and tamp it in with your hands to remove any air pockets.
• Water well and apply mulch to keep weeds down the first season.

Starting Goldenrod From Seed

Goldenrod seeds are small and need light to germinate. Remember to stratify them, as mentioned above. Goldenrod seeds usually germinate in 2-3 weeks at room temperature.

To start goldenrod indoors in flats:

• Use any well-drained seed starting mix, or make your own.
• Premoisten the medium, and sprinkle the seeds on top.
• Press the seeds lightly into contact with the soil using your hand or a flat scrap of wood.
• Cover the tray with a humidity dome or plastic wrap to maintain humidity, and place under light.

When planting goldenrod seeds in outdoor beds:

• Prepare the soil and rake it smooth.
•  Broadcast seed at a rate of about 50 seeds (they’re tiny!) per square foot.
•  Lightly dust them with soil or a very thin straw mulch to help them remain in place and reduce bird feeding. Gently watering them immediately will help them make soil contact.