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Shaggy Soldier
Galinsoga quadriradiata
Easy · Beginner friendlyAbout Shaggy Soldier
Shaggy Soldier or Hairy Galinsoga is a Mexican and Central American annual weed similar to Galinsoga parviflora but with denser hairy stems and larger ray petals. Growing 6 to 24 inches tall with hairy stems and leaves, it produces small daisy-like flowers with four-toothed white petals and yellow centers. Widespread in American gardens, nurseries, and urban disturbed ground, often out-competing the smoother sibling species in cooler, moister sites.
- Shade-tolerant
- Fast-growing
How to care for Shaggy Soldier
Watering
- Springevery 14 days
- Summerevery 7 days
- Fallevery 14 days
- Winterpause watering
Soil · Well-draining
- Top dressingPine bark mulch10%
- Main mixPotting soil + perlite 2:170%
- DrainageLECA / gravel20%
Never skip the drainage layer — standing water is the top cause of root rot.
FERTILIZER
This plant needs little to no feeding.
At a Glance
- NativeNorth America, Central America
- Height1–2 ft (0.3–0.6 m)
- Spread1–1.5 ft (0.3–0.5 m)
- Flower colorWhite, Yellow
- Foliage colorGreen
- SoilLoamy, Well-drained
- LocationsYard
Bloom time
BLOOM CYCLE
Peak bloom
Jun–Nov
Small daisies with four-toothed white petals summer to fall
Fragrance
LIGHT FRAGRANCE
Foliage faintly earthy-herbal, distinctive in Colombian cuisine.
Toxicity
No toxicity has been reported for this plant. Still, it is wise to keep pets from chewing on any houseplant.
Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.
DISTRIBUTION
- Native
- Introduced
- North America
- Central America
History
Galinsoga quadriradiata is native to Mexico and Central America, extending as far north as the southwestern US. Hipólito Ruiz and José Antonio Pavón described it in 1798 from South American herbarium material collected during their royal Spanish expedition. It is distinguished from its sister G. parviflora by stickier, more hairy glandular stems and slightly larger flower heads.
After escaping garden cultivation in Europe by the late 1800s, it became the dominant Galinsoga species in North American and northern European agriculture, outcompeting its less hairy sister. In its native range it is eaten as mozote or guascas and is an essential ingredient of the Colombian traditional soup ajiaco santafereño — imparting a characteristic earthy flavor impossible to replicate with other herbs.
Often misidentified as Galinsoga parviflora but distinguished by dense hairs and larger ray petals. It is a top-10 vegetable-crop weed across northern Europe and North America.
Symbolism & meaning
What It Symbolizes
Shaggy Soldier is the humble intruder of disturbed soil, slipping into vegetable beds and city cracks wherever earth has been turned. Its four distinctive ray petals — the 'four rays' that distinguish it — give it a small, scrappy charm even as gardeners pull it out by the handful. Ecologically, it's simply opportunism in flower form, persistent and not unlovely.
- Humble intrusion — spreads anywhere soil is disturbed
- Four rays — distinctive four-toothed ray petals
Where the Name Comes From
'quadriradiata' from Latin means four-rayed, for the four-toothed ray petals on each tiny flower.
Related plants
More Galinsoga plants
Plants with similar care
Red BuckeyeAesculus pavia
Blue BugleAjuga genevensis
Pyramidal BugleAjuga pyramidalis
Carpet BugleAjuga reptans
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water Shaggy Soldier?
Water about every 14 days during the growing season, and always let excess water drain away.
How much light does Shaggy Soldier need?
Part shade: 2–4 hrs direct. Watch the leaves — scorching or stretching means the light needs adjusting.
Is Shaggy Soldier toxic to cats or dogs?
No toxicity has been reported for this plant. Still, it is wise to keep pets from chewing on any houseplant. Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.
Is Shaggy Soldier easy to grow?
Yes — it is considered an easy, beginner-friendly plant.
When does Shaggy Soldier bloom?
It typically blooms Jun–Nov in the Northern Hemisphere.
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