Fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium) — Care, Growing Conditions & Wildlife Value

Growing Conditions

Light Full Sun

Water Medium

Soil Any

Size 2-5'

Bloom Pink, Jun–Sep

Why Grow It

Pollinator Magnet Attracts many types of pollinators

Fast Growing Establishes and fills in quickly

Long Blooming Flowers for many weeks through the season

Did You Know?

A single Fireweed plant can produce up to 80,000 seeds, each equipped with silky white hairs that carry it far on the wind.

In Alaska, locals use Fireweed as a seasonal calendar — when the last blossoms at the top of the stalk open, winter is just six weeks away.

Fireweed was one of the first plants to reappear after the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, and its petals can be made into jelly while leaves are dried for tea.

Wildlife Value

🐝

Bumblebees Primary pollinators of showy pink spikes

🦋

White-lined Sphinx Moth Caterpillars feed on fireweed foliage

🐦

Hummingbirds Visit flowers for nectar throughout summer

Good Companions

🌼 Black-eyed Susan 💜 New England Aster 🌾 Switchgrass 🌸 Wild Bergamot

Planting Guide

Sow seed on bare soil surface in full sun; needs light.
Space 18 inches apart in meadow or disturbed-site planting.
Spreads by rhizomes — contain or site in thin, dry soil.

Heads Up

Spreads by Root Spreads quickly; may need containment

Fireweed