How to Grow and Harvest Dandelions at Home

The common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a flowering, broadleaf perennial herb that is part of the Asteraceae family. Dandelion plants produce yellow flowers which open up into a white puffball, or pappus, which is sometimes referred to as the seed head or “blowball.” The fuzzy pappus bits are naturally carried by the wind, which helps it disperse the seeds for reproduction.

Though you may think of them as weeds, the blossoms, leaves, and roots of dandelions are safe for human consumption. You can harvest the blooms and leaves for salad and sautéed dishes, and the roots can be used to make tea. Plus, dandelions grow quickly in many different types of climates, making them an easy choice to grow in your garden.

Dandelions have a myriad of practical uses, which include the following.

1. 1. Nutrition: Dandelions contain a number of vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, C, E, and K, folate, iron, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
2. 2. Skincare: With its high content of vitamin A and E, dandelion is a popular ingredient in many moisturizing soaps, oils, and lotions.
3. 3. Meal additions: Dandelions can be eaten raw or cooked after they have been thoroughly washed. Mix buttery-tasting dandelion leaves in with other salad greens for a spring mix, or sauté them in a pan with garlic, onion, and other veggies. The blossoms, opened or unopened, can also be used to make fritters.
4. 4. Baking: You can incorporate dandelion petals, oil, honey, or essence into a variety of baked goods, like cookies, muffins, and cakes for some herbal flavor.
   
5. 5. Dandelion tea: Submerge dried or fresh dandelion roots in hot water, then strain them to make dandelion tea. Dandelion roots can also be used as a coffee substitute though they do not contain any caffeine.
6. 6. Dandelion wine: You can make dandelion wine by fermenting dandelions using sugar and citrus in a mason jar, and allowing it to sit for one to two years.

Dandelions are low-maintenance plants that thrive in USDA hardiness zones 3–9. With a germination rate of about 10 to 14 days, dandelion seeds can be planted from early spring (about six weeks before the last frost) through late summer or early fall. They can grow in soil temperatures as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit, though they prefer a warmer climate.

Dandelions can be harvested throughout the spring growing season. The longer that you leave dandelions to grow, the more bitter they taste. Dandelion blossoms should be picked when the flower heads are a full, bright yellow, which is usually right after they have opened.

Dandelion roots can be harvested anytime during their growing cycle, but it’s best to pick them between late fall and early spring. Dandelions are self-seeding, so if you wait too long to harvest, their seed heads will emerge and the wind will disperse the seeds to another location.

Dandelion plants are prolific growers that are usually planted from seed. For a guide on how to grow dandelions, see the steps below.

1. 1. Choose and prepare your planting spot. Dandelion seeds can germinate successfully in a number of different light and soil conditions, but they usually thrive in loose, well-draining, and fertile soil. While a sunny spot may seem like the obvious choice for a spot, try to choose a location with partial shade (or even full shade) if you’re growing dandelions to eat. A shadier spot will slow their growth and prevent the dandelion leaves from getting too bitter in the full sun.
2. 2. Sow your seeds. Sow your dandelion seeds directly into your garden soil six weeks before the last frost of the spring. The ground temperature should be at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant your seeds a quarter of an inch below the soil surface and only lightly cover them with soil to help the sunlight germinate them. If you’re planting your seeds in rows, sow each seed a few inches apart and give the rows about a foot of space in between them.
3. 3. Thin your plants. Dandelion plants can grow up to six inches tall in six-inch-wide clusters. Once your dandelions have sprouted a few inches above the ground soil, thin them back to about six inches between each plant to prevent overgrowth.

Here is an overview of how to harvest dandelions.

1. 1. Choose a clean area for your harvest. If you don’t have a dedicated garden bed or container for your dandelions, make sure the area that you’re harvesting your dandelions from is free of animal waste or foot traffic damage. You only want to pick and consume the cleanest and healthiest-looking dandelion flowers. Avoid harvesting dandelions from areas that have been chemically treated with pesticides or herbicides.
2. 2. Cover the area with dark fabric for a few days. A few days before you harvest your dandelions, cover the area you will be harvesting with some dark fabric. This blocks out the light and slows down the maturing of the dandelion leaves which can make them more bitter.
3. 3. Snip your leaves and flowers. Snip the dandelion head just below the blossom using a clean pair of scissors, leaving a small bit of stem attached. If the blossoms are already open, put their stems in cold water to keep them from closing until you’re ready to use them. You can also snip away the young leaves from the center stem to use in salads.
4. 4. Extract the plant. If you want to harvest the dandelion root, you’ll need to pull up the whole plant similar to how you’d regularly remove a weed. You can also use a digging tool to loosen the soil around the plant, which can make it easier to pull it up without snapping the roots. Keep in mind that the dandelion plant can still regrow as long as a piece of its root remains behind.

Dandelions are self-pollinators and do not require a lot of upkeep. It usually takes more effort to permanently get rid of them than it does to keep them growing. However, for a few simple steps on maintaining your dandelions, see below.

1. 1. Water them regularly. Dandelions like moist soil, so you should water them regularly to keep them hydrated. Make sure that the top two inches of the soil are dry before each round of watering.
2. 2. Watch the sunlight. Make sure your dandelions get at least six hours of sun every day when you’re growing them. Once they’re well-established, make sure that they can get plenty of shade to prevent the greens from getting too bitter if you plan to eat them.
3. 3. Avoid mulching. Mulching is a popular way to prevent weeds but it blocks out the light that dandelions need for their seeds to germinate. Avoid using mulch on your dandelions.

Grow your own garden with Ron Finley, the self-described "Gangster Gardener." Get the MasterClass Annual Membership and learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep your house plants alive, and use compost to make your community—and the world—a better place.