A yard full of golden dandelions in bloom can be a gorgeous sight. Eventually, all those beautiful flowers eventually turn to white globes of exposed seeds that are often called "puffballs." Dandelions grow so successfully because those puffballs disperse their seeds over long distances in a stiff breeze.

How long does it take for a dandelion to turn white?

It takes between nine and 15 days for the dandelion bloom to fully mature into the puffy, ripe seed head. This time frame also depends on the temperature and conditions. The plant seeds mature faster in dry, warm weather.

What does it mean when the dandelion turns white?

Once pollination by bees or other insects has taken place, each fertilized floret produces a seed called an achene. Each seed pushes up through the floret and develops a feathery filament called a pappus. When viewed collectively on the dandelion's seed head, the filaments look like a white puff ball.