Arnica (mountain tobacco) Arnica montana
Arnica (mountain tobacco) (Arnica montana) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Asteraceae family, native to Nutrient-poor acid grasslands and mountains of Europe. It grows 20–50 cm (8–20 in) tall and 15–30 cm (6–12 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 25 cm (10 in) apart.
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Arnica (mountain tobacco) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Mature height | 20–50 cm (8–20 in) |
| Mature spread | 15–30 cm (6–12 in) |
| Spacing | 25 cm (10 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 4–6 |
| Cold hardiness | About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 26 °C (79 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Nutrient-poor acid grasslands and mountains of Europe |
| Common in gardens of | 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇫🇷 France |
Is Arnica (mountain tobacco) toxic?
- People: severely toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: flowers, roots, all parts
Helenalin: toxic if swallowed (heart and gut); external use only, not on broken skin.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Arnica (mountain tobacco)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With English lavender: Acid-loving plants need pH 4.5–5.5, lavender prefers neutral to alkaline soil; one bed cannot suit both. Evidence B
Questions about Arnica (mountain tobacco)
- How far apart should I plant Arnica (mountain tobacco)?
- About 25 cm (10 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 15–30 cm (6–12 in).
- Does Arnica (mountain tobacco) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Arnica (mountain tobacco) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Arnica (mountain tobacco)?
- It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Arnica (mountain tobacco) flower?
- From about June for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Arnica (mountain tobacco) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people severely toxic. Helenalin: toxic if swallowed (heart and gut); external use only, not on broken skin.
- What grows well with Arnica (mountain tobacco)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Arnica (mountain tobacco). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Euro+Med PlantBase, Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, IUCN
Notes and assumptions
- Ragged orange-yellow daisies on lean acid meadows; declining and protected in much of Europe. Grow from nursery seed, never dug from the wild.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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