Yellow rattle Rhinanthus minor
Yellow rattle (Rhinanthus minor) is an annual flowering plant in the Orobanchaceae family, native to Europe and western Asia (hay meadows). It grows 20–50 cm (8–20 in) tall and 10–20 cm (4–8 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -20 °C (-4 °F). Space plants about 15 cm (6 in) apart.
Plan Yellow rattle in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Yellow rattle at a glance
| Type | Annual flowering plant |
|---|---|
| Family | Orobanchaceae |
| Mature height | 20–50 cm (8–20 in) |
| Mature spread | 10–20 cm (4–8 in) |
| Spacing | 15 cm (6 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -20 °C (-4 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 6) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Flowering | about 10–14 weeks after planting, for 4–7 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 120 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Europe and western Asia (hay meadows) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇴 Norway |
Is Yellow rattle toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: all parts
Contains aucubin; mildly toxic to livestock in hay.
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 Yellow rattle
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Yellow rattle in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (50 plants)
Questions about Yellow rattle
- How far apart should I plant Yellow rattle?
- About 15 cm (6 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 10–20 cm (4–8 in).
- Does Yellow rattle need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Yellow rattle need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Yellow rattle?
- It tolerates about -20 °C (-4 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 6. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Yellow rattle flower?
- About 10–14 weeks after planting, for 4–7 weeks.
- Is Yellow rattle poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Contains aucubin; mildly toxic to livestock in hay.
- What grows well with Yellow rattle?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Yellow rattle. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Wildflowers and meadows, Plantlife (UK)
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Hemiparasite on grass roots: weakens grasses so meadow flowers can thrive ("the meadow maker"). Sow fresh seed in autumn; needs winter cold to germinate.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Foxglove Digitalis purpurea
- Daffodil Narcissus pseudonarcissus