Dandelion Greg Hume via Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
forageable

Dandelion

Taraxacum officinale

EdibleMedicinalDrought Tolerant
Edible Partsleaves, flowers, root, stems (with caution)

Overview

The most maligned and most useful plant in the modern lawn. Every part is edible and medicinal. The deep taproot mines minerals from subsoil, accumulating calcium, potassium, and iron in the leaves. One of the earliest spring nectar sources for emerging pollinators. Leave a few in your lawn for the bees.

Growing Conditions

LightFull Sun
MoistureModerate
Hardiness Zones3 — 10
Height0.3m
Spread0.3m
Growth HabitTaprooted perennial
LifespanPerennial
Bloom ColorYellow
Pollinator Valuehigh

Companion Planting & Soil

Good Companions

Fruit trees (mines minerals)Most garden plants
Soil pH6 — 7.5
Soil TypeTolerates almost any soil; prefers loose, fertile loam

Planting Calendar

When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.

ZoneActionMonthsNotes
Cold (1-2) Harvest Apr — Jun Best leaves in spring before flowering — least bitter
Cold (1-2) Harvest Sep — Oct Fall harvest of roots after frost concentrates inulin
Cool (3-4) Harvest Mar — May Pick young leaves and flower buds; roots all season
Moderate (5-7) Harvest Mar — Nov Year-round harvest; young leaves best
Moderate (5-7) Bloom Mar — Jun Flowers used for wine, fritters, syrup
Warm (8-9) Harvest Jan — Dec Available year-round; harvest from un-sprayed lawns and meadows
Warm (8-9) Bloom Feb — May Early spring bloom; critical food source for emerging pollinators
Hot (10+) Harvest Nov — Apr (wraps) Cool-season growth; dormant in peak summer

Uses

Culinary

  • Young leaves in salads (bitter, like radicchio)
  • Flowers fried as fritters, fermented into wine, or boiled into syrup
  • Roasted root as coffee substitute

Medicinal

  • Leaves are diuretic and rich in potassium (replaces what diuretics deplete)
  • Root supports liver detoxification — used in herbal bitters
  • Traditional spring tonic in many cultures

Other Uses

  • Deep taproot breaks up compacted soil
  • Critical early-season food for honeybees and native bees

Safety Notes

Confusion with similar yellow-flowered plants is possible — verify ID. Only harvest from un-sprayed areas (no herbicides, no roadsides).