Trailing eclipta.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Herbaceous perennial

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

bright-indirect

Water

Every 1 to 3 days

Mature size

Spreads to 30-60 cm

Growth rate

fast

Hardiness

USDA 8 to 11

Bloom time

Summer to fall

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist and provide ample sunlight for the best growth. It's quite forgiving and can tolerate a range of conditions, but prefers wet feet.

Watering

Keep soil consistently moist; it prefers wet conditions.

Feeding

Fertilize lightly in spring if growth seems slow.

Pruning

Prune back lightly in spring to encourage bushier growth.

Repotting

Repot when root-bound, typically every one to two years.

Soil

Prefers moist, well-draining soil, but tolerates clay and sandy soils.

Soil pH

Slightly acidic to neutral

Temperature

10 to 30°C

Humidity

40 to 60%

Safety

People

Non-toxic

Pets

Non-toxic

Edibility

While traditionally used in some cultures, it is not recommended for consumption without expert knowledge.

How to identify it

• Small, white, daisy-like flower heads
• Toothed, lance-shaped leaves
• Spreading, often trailing stems
• Hairy stems and leaves
• Grows in moist to wet conditions

Height

0.1 to 0.3m

Spread

0.3 to 0.6m

Leaves

green, dark green, evergreen

Flowers

white, 0.6 to 1cm

Common problems

• Aphids — Small, soft-bodied insects that can cluster on new growth, causing distortion.
• Spider mites — Tiny arachnids that cause stippling on leaves and fine webbing.
• Root rot — Can occur in poorly draining soil or with overwatering.

Growing it

Propagation

seed, cuttings, division

When to plant

spring, summer

Plant Eclipta with other moisture-loving plants in a bog garden or at the edge of a water feature for a lush, natural look.

Grows well with

• Mint — Mints appreciate similar moist conditions and can help keep the soil consistently watered.
• Lobelia — Many Lobelia species thrive in wet environments and add complementary color and form.
• Cattail — These water-loving plants can coexist in boggy or marshy garden areas.

Keep away from

• Drought-tolerant plants — Plants that require dry conditions will not thrive alongside Eclipta.
• Plants needing consistently dry soil — Succulents will suffer from the consistently moist conditions Eclipta prefers.

Similar species

• True Daisy — Often confused due to similar flower shape, but true daisies have a different growth habit and leaf structure.
• Daisies (Asteraceae family) — Many plants in the Asteraceae family have similar white, daisy-like flowers but differ in foliage and growth habit.

Science

Family

Asteraceae

Genus

Eclipta

Order

Asterales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Widespread in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including North America, South America, Africa, and Asia.

It colonizes disturbed, moist areas and is often found in riparian zones and wetlands, contributing to ground cover.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, pollen source

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

Ornamental, Medicinal (traditional)

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is trailing eclipta easy to grow?

Yes, it's known for being very easy to grow and quite adaptable.

Does it attract beneficial insects?

Absolutely, its flowers are a good food source for bees and butterflies.

Can it tolerate drought?

It prefers moist conditions and may struggle during extended dry periods.

Where the name comes from

The genus name 'Eclipta' is derived from the Greek word 'ekleiptos,' meaning 'to fall short' or 'declining,' possibly referring to the plant's sometimes weedy nature. The specific epithet 'prostrata' is Latin for 'lying down' or 'spreading,' describing its growth habit.

Good to know

• It has a wide native range across tropical and subtropical regions.
• It's considered a weed in some parts of the world.
• Traditional medicine uses it for various ailments.