How big does Goat's beard grow?

About 1.8 m × 1 m after ten years (height × width). Its ultimate size is 1.2–2 m × 0.6–1.2 m.

What soil does Goat's beard grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, acidic.

Is Goat's beard hardy?

Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How much water does Goat's beard need?

Water need: high. Drought tolerance: low.

How much does Goat's beard cost?

It sells for roughly €3.90 to €18 in local shops, depending on size.

Goat's beard

Aruncus dioicus

Goat's beard (Aruncus dioicus) is a perennial that reaches 1.8 m × 1 m after ten years. Light: part shade, shade. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: low. Sold in local shops from about €3.90.

Illustration of Goat's beard — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A big, bushy woodland perennial native to the region that lights up shady corners in early summer with head-high plumes of creamy white flowers. Plant it in part shade or shade, in humus-rich soil that never dries out, and it will be long-lived and need hardly any care. Give it plenty of room, because within a few years it fills out into a sizeable clump, and it does not put up with drought.

Watch out for

In the hot, dry summers of Central Europe its main problem is drying out: when the soil dries or the midday sun reaches it, the leaves scorch and the foliage quickly deteriorates, so in lowland gardens plant it only in shade where you can water it. Sawfly larvae occasionally strip the leaves, and leaf spot can occur. It is slow to establish and does not show its full size in the first years. Male plants have fuller, showier plumes.

Key facts

Light: Part shade, Shade
Water need: High
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 1.8 m × 1 m
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D June–July, white

Group	Perennial
Light	Part shade, Shade
Size after 10 years	1.8 m × 1 m
Ultimate size	1.2–2 m × 0.6–1.2 m
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Acidic
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	June–July, white
Water need	High
Drought tolerance	Low
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	no data
Distance from paving	no data
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	100 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	from about €3.90

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. €3.90 – €18

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 13, 2026 · How our data is made

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