Description
Known by many common names such as western snakeroot, western joepiweed, western eupatorium, and western boneset, this species is related to eastern joepiweed that is a common horticultural plant. Western joepiweed grows in rocky places at low, mid, and high elevations. At low elevations it tends to grow on rock cobble along streams. A rhizomatous plant in the aster family, western joepiweed has white to pink flowers that are favored by pollinators. Rarely grows taller than 2- 2.5′ tall. This species is a perennial that grows from a woody caudex like a small bush or subshrub, but it dies back to the ground and goes dormant in cold winter areas. This species is wonderful in gardens and should be grown much more than it currently is — we’re working hard to get this species the garden reputation it deserves!
Western joepiweed (Ageratina occidentalis) seed packets contain approximately 60 seeds per packet.
*Note: This species is hard to get clean down to pure seed. Some chaff may be included that can be sown along with the dark brown seeds.
Seed Germination Instructions
No pretreatment required. Sow outside in fall to early spring. Germination may be improved with 30 days cold stratification.
