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Butterburs (Petasites)
Butterburs is a genus of flowering plants in the sunflower family, Asteraceae. They are perennial plants with thick, creeping underground rhizomes and large rhubarb-like leaves during the growing season. The short spikes of flowers are produced just before the leaves in late winter emerging with only a few elongated basal bracts and are usually green, flesh coloured or dull white depending on the species. Most species are native to Asia or southern Europe. 
Lifespan
Perennial
Key Facts About Butterburs
Feedback
Attributes of Butterburs
Leaf type
Deciduous
Scientific Classification of Butterburs
Distribution of Butterburs
Feedback
Distribution Map of Butterburs
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Butterburs
Feedback
The butterburs genus, comprising robust, hardy plants, demands moderate care. Basic needs include semi-shade to full sun exposure and enriched, well-drained yet moist soil. They can tolerate a wide temperature range, with an optimal range of 18-24°C. Common challenges include susceptibility to common garden pests and diseases such as aphids and leaf spot, making regular observation critical. Seasonal considerations include lower watering frequency in winter, while heavy mulching is recommended in autumn to protect the plant from harsh winter frosts.
How to Water Butterburs?
What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Butterburs?
How to Propagate Butterburs?
How to Plant Butterburs?
Exploring the Butterburs Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Japanese butterbur
Japanese butterbur (Petasites japonicus) is a herbaceous perennial that will grow from 61 to 91 cm tall. Native to Korea China and Japan it produces yellowish-white flowers in spring. Blossoms are fragrant and showy. Grows best in partial to full shade and prefers moist or wet soil. The leaves were once used to wrap butter hence the name japanese butterbur.
Butterbur
Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) is native to the wetlands of Europe and northern Asia. It produces pale pink flower spikes in early spring before its enormous leaves begin to grow. These leaves were once used to wrap and store butter in warm weather. Though they no longer serve that purpose, the common name, "butterbur," has not fallen out of fashion.
White butterbur
White butterbur (Petasites albus) is an herbaceous perennial with rounded fan-shaped leaves that form dense mats. It produces tall stalks with clusters of white flowers that bloom from winter to spring. It prefers damp soils and is commonly found growing wild in deciduous forests and along streams and canals. Spreads by underground rhizome roots and can be invasive.
Pyrenees butterbur
Pyrenees butterbur is an attractive flower. It grows under shady conditions in multiple types of soil. The flowers have a vanilla-like scent. Though valued by some gardeners, pyrenees butterbur has become invasive in certain locations.
Arctic sweet coltsfoot
Arctic sweet coltsfoot (Petasites frigidus) is a herbaceous, perennial plant that can grow to be 91 cm tall. It blooms in early spring and has yellow-white flower clusters. It grows best in full shade and moist soil. It is often planted for ground cover and attracts butterflies and caterpillars.
Sweet coltsfoot
Sweet coltsfoot is often planted in architectural gardens, as well as in woodlands and alongside bodies of water. It is a major attraction for bees, so it would work wonders in a wildlife garden too. The perennial's white flowers, with their sweet aroma, are what people love most.
Arctic sweet coltsfoot
Arctic sweet coltsfoot is characterized by its broad, palmate leaves which unfurl in spring to a lush green. Clusters of modest flowers emerge prior to the leaves on this perennial, thriving in moist, shaded environments. The plant's sprawling habit helps it to blanket the ground, allowing it to dominate and adapt to cool understory habitats.
False butterbur
False butterbur is known for its large, heart-shaped leaves, which often favor moist, shaded environments. This perennial herbaceous plant features clusters of small, understated flowers that bloom in spring. False butterbur's growth is robust, with a preference for riverbanks and forest edges where its expansive foliage can flourish unfettered.
All Species of Butterburs
Japanese butterbur
Japanese butterbur
Japanese butterbur (Petasites japonicus) is a herbaceous perennial that will grow from 61 to 91 cm tall. Native to Korea China and Japan it produces yellowish-white flowers in spring. Blossoms are fragrant and showy. Grows best in partial to full shade and prefers moist or wet soil. The leaves were once used to wrap butter hence the name japanese butterbur.
Butterbur
Butterbur
Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) is native to the wetlands of Europe and northern Asia. It produces pale pink flower spikes in early spring before its enormous leaves begin to grow. These leaves were once used to wrap and store butter in warm weather. Though they no longer serve that purpose, the common name, "butterbur," has not fallen out of fashion.
White butterbur
White butterbur
White butterbur (Petasites albus) is an herbaceous perennial with rounded fan-shaped leaves that form dense mats. It produces tall stalks with clusters of white flowers that bloom from winter to spring. It prefers damp soils and is commonly found growing wild in deciduous forests and along streams and canals. Spreads by underground rhizome roots and can be invasive.
Pyrenees butterbur
Pyrenees butterbur
Pyrenees butterbur is an attractive flower. It grows under shady conditions in multiple types of soil. The flowers have a vanilla-like scent. Though valued by some gardeners, pyrenees butterbur has become invasive in certain locations.
Arctic sweet coltsfoot
Arctic sweet coltsfoot
Arctic sweet coltsfoot (Petasites frigidus) is a herbaceous, perennial plant that can grow to be 91 cm tall. It blooms in early spring and has yellow-white flower clusters. It grows best in full shade and moist soil. It is often planted for ground cover and attracts butterflies and caterpillars.
Sweet coltsfoot
Sweet coltsfoot
Sweet coltsfoot is often planted in architectural gardens, as well as in woodlands and alongside bodies of water. It is a major attraction for bees, so it would work wonders in a wildlife garden too. The perennial's white flowers, with their sweet aroma, are what people love most.
Arctic sweet coltsfoot
Arctic sweet coltsfoot
Arctic sweet coltsfoot is characterized by its broad, palmate leaves which unfurl in spring to a lush green. Clusters of modest flowers emerge prior to the leaves on this perennial, thriving in moist, shaded environments. The plant's sprawling habit helps it to blanket the ground, allowing it to dominate and adapt to cool understory habitats.
False butterbur
False butterbur
False butterbur is known for its large, heart-shaped leaves, which often favor moist, shaded environments. This perennial herbaceous plant features clusters of small, understated flowers that bloom in spring. False butterbur's growth is robust, with a preference for riverbanks and forest edges where its expansive foliage can flourish unfettered.
Petasites rubellus
Petasites rubellus
Petasites rubellus is a herbaceous perennial with a sprawling habit, often found in moist, shaded environments. It typically exhibits broad, heart-shaped leaves and clusters of small, bell-shaped pink flowers that rise on tall stems above the foliage in early spring. Its rhizomatous roots allow it to colonize and adapt well to its riparian habitats, making it a robust component of the undergrowth.
Petasites formosanus
Petasites formosanus
Petasites formosanus, native to Taiwan, is a perennial herb that flourishes in damp, shaded environments. Its substantial heart-shaped leaves emerge on tall stalks, while clusters of small, roundish flowers appear early in the spring. Unique for its rhizomatous growth, petasites formosanus often forms expansive colonies that dominate the understory, showcasing its adaptation to thrive in competitive low-light conditions.
Petasites radiatus
Petasites radiatus
Petasites radiatus is a perennial herb notable for its broad, heart-shaped leaves with deeply radiating veins. This shade-loving plant thrives in moist, woodland soils, where its stout rhizomes support the growth of large leaf clusters. In spring, petasites radiatus produces tall flower spikes, densely packed with tiny, star-shaped blooms, a strategy that maximizes reproductive success in the dappled light of its forest home.
Arrowleaf sweet coltsfoot
Arrowleaf sweet coltsfoot
Arrowleaf sweet coltsfoot is a cold-tolerant herbaceous perennial with broad, arrow-shaped leaves that unfurl on stout, fleshy stems. It typically thrives in moist, shaded environments, often near streams or wetlands. In spring, it produces clusters of small, understated flowers. This variety's foliage and habitat preferences make it both a resilient and distinctive element of subalpine plant communities.
More Popular Genus
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Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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About
Key Facts
Distribution
How To Care
All Species
More Genus
Butterburs
Petasites
Butterburs is a genus of flowering plants in the sunflower family, Asteraceae. They are perennial plants with thick, creeping underground rhizomes and large rhubarb-like leaves during the growing season. The short spikes of flowers are produced just before the leaves in late winter emerging with only a few elongated basal bracts and are usually green, flesh coloured or dull white depending on the species. Most species are native to Asia or southern Europe.
Lifespan
Perennial
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Key Facts About Butterburs
Feedback
Attributes of Butterburs
Leaf type
Deciduous
Scientific Classification of Butterburs
Distribution of Butterburs
Feedback
Distribution Map of Butterburs
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Butterburs
Feedback
The butterburs genus, comprising robust, hardy plants, demands moderate care. Basic needs include semi-shade to full sun exposure and enriched, well-drained yet moist soil. They can tolerate a wide temperature range, with an optimal range of 18-24°C. Common challenges include susceptibility to common garden pests and diseases such as aphids and leaf spot, making regular observation critical. Seasonal considerations include lower watering frequency in winter, while heavy mulching is recommended in autumn to protect the plant from harsh winter frosts.
How to Water Butterburs?
What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Butterburs?
How to Propagate Butterburs?
How to Plant Butterburs?
Exploring the Butterburs Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Japanese butterbur
Japanese butterbur (Petasites japonicus) is a herbaceous perennial that will grow from 61 to 91 cm tall. Native to Korea China and Japan it produces yellowish-white flowers in spring. Blossoms are fragrant and showy. Grows best in partial to full shade and prefers moist or wet soil. The leaves were once used to wrap butter hence the name japanese butterbur.
Butterbur
Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) is native to the wetlands of Europe and northern Asia. It produces pale pink flower spikes in early spring before its enormous leaves begin to grow. These leaves were once used to wrap and store butter in warm weather. Though they no longer serve that purpose, the common name, "butterbur," has not fallen out of fashion.
White butterbur
White butterbur (Petasites albus) is an herbaceous perennial with rounded fan-shaped leaves that form dense mats. It produces tall stalks with clusters of white flowers that bloom from winter to spring. It prefers damp soils and is commonly found growing wild in deciduous forests and along streams and canals. Spreads by underground rhizome roots and can be invasive.
Pyrenees butterbur
Pyrenees butterbur is an attractive flower. It grows under shady conditions in multiple types of soil. The flowers have a vanilla-like scent. Though valued by some gardeners, pyrenees butterbur has become invasive in certain locations.
Show More Species
All Species of Butterburs
More Popular Genus
Feedback
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
Nearly 5 years of research
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
