Great Willowherb.

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Care level

Easy

Plant type

Perennial

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

bright-indirect

Water

Every 1 to 3 days

Mature size

Up to 150 cm tall

Growth rate

fast

Hardiness

USDA 4 to 9

Bloom time

Mid summer to early autumn

Cuidados

Keep the soil consistently moist as this plant thrives in wet conditions. Watch for aphids during the growing season and prune back dead stems in late autumn. It spreads readily, so consider its location carefully to prevent it from taking over.

Watering

Keep the soil constantly damp, never allowing it to dry out completely.

Feeding

Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once during the spring if the soil is poor.

Pruning

Cut the plant back to the ground in late autumn after the foliage dies off.

Repotting

Repot only if the plant becomes root bound in a container.

Soil

Moist, heavy, or boggy soil

Soil pH

Neutral to slightly alkaline

Temperature

-20 to 30°C

Humidity

60 to 90%

Drought tolerance

low

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years.

Deer and rabbits

moderate

Seguridad

People

It is not considered toxic to humans.

Pets

This plant is not known to be toxic to cats or dogs.

Children

The fine hairs on the plant can be irritating if handled, so it is best to keep small children from playing with the foliage.

Contact allergens

The fine hairs on the stems and leaves may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

The wind dispersed seeds have fine, silky tufts that can be a minor respiratory irritant if inhaled in large quantities.

Edibility

While young shoots are sometimes consumed, they can be tough and lack significant culinary value.

Cómo identificarla

• Tall, hairy, branched stems
• Opposite, lance shaped, serrated leaves
• Large, four petaled pink flowers
• Long, slender, pod like seed capsules

Height

0.8 to 1.5m

Spread

0.45 to 0.9m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

pink, magenta, 2 to 3cm

Problemas frecuentes

• Rust fungus — Appears as orange or brown pustules on the undersides of leaves during humid weather.
• Aphids — Small insects that cluster on new growth and suck plant sap.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagation

division, seed, cuttings

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

The foliage dies back to the ground in winter. You can cut the dead stems down to the base in late autumn or early spring.

In containers

It is not recommended for containers because it spreads aggressively and requires constant moisture.

Plant it in contained areas or large sites where its aggressive spreading habit will not overwhelm smaller, delicate species.

Buenas compañeras

• Purple Loosestrife — They share similar moisture requirements in wetland settings.
• Meadowsweet — This plant provides a nice textural contrast in damp meadow plantings.

Mantenla lejos de

• Native wetland grasses — It can easily outcompete and crowd out slower growing native grasses.

Especies parecidas

• Fireweed — It has similar flower shapes but lacks the hairy foliage and prefers drier soil.

Ciencia

Family

Onagraceae

Genus

Epilobium

Order

Myrtales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Europe, Asia, and parts of North Africa.

Conservation

It is not of conservation concern and is considered an invasive weed in many parts of North America.

It colonizes damp ground and disturbed wetlands by spreading rapidly through its extensive root system.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, larval host plant

Pollinators

bees, moths, butterflies

Uses

wetland restoration, pollinator gardens, wildlife habitat

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

Is it invasive?

Yes, it is considered highly invasive in many wetland areas outside its native range.

Does it need a lot of water?

It thrives in very moist to wet soil and is often found near streams or ponds.

De dónde viene el nombre

The name Epilobium comes from Greek words meaning upon a pod, referring to the flower position on the seed capsule. Hirsutum refers to the hairy texture of the leaves and stems.

Bueno saberlo

• It spreads aggressively through both seeds and underground rhizomes.
• The plant is highly adaptable to various water levels.
• It is a member of the evening primrose family.