Is Eclipta prostrata an invasive species?

It can be aggressive in wet, disturbed areas but is native to many tropical and subtropical regions.

Does it need full sun?

Yes, it performs best in full sun to partial shade.

Plant guide

False daisy.

Eclipta prostrata

Pronounced ek-LIP-tuh pros-TRAY-tuh

Also known as Clavel de pozo, False Daisy, botoncillo, botón blanco, eclipta

This hardy plant is a common sight in moist, disturbed areas and wetlands. It is widely recognized for its medicinal history and its preference for damp soil. You will often find it sprawling along the ground or growing upright in shallow water.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Annual herb
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 1 to 3 days
Mature size: 2 to 3 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 7 to 11
Bloom time: Mid summer to late autumn

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist to mimic its natural wetland habitat. Watch for yellowing leaves which often signal that the plant is drying out too much. It thrives best when it has plenty of humidity and consistent moisture.

Watering: Ensure the soil stays damp at all times.
Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back leggy stems to encourage a bushier growth habit.
Repotting: Since it is typically grown as an annual, repotting is rarely necessary.
Soil: Moist, loamy, or clay soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: 10 to 35°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Annual, typically 1 year
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of drainage holes
Soil drying out too quickly

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non toxic but should be used with caution due to its medicinal properties.
Children: Keep away from small children as the seeds are small and could pose a minor choking hazard.
Contact allergens: Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation upon handling the stems.
Airborne allergens: The pollen can cause mild seasonal allergies in sensitive individuals.
Edibility: Consult a professional herbalist before consumption as this plant is used in traditional medicine and can have potent effects.

How to identify it

Opposite lance shaped leaves
Small white daisy like flowers
Rough hairy stems
Dark green foliage
Blackish achene fruits

Height: 0.1 to 0.6m
Spread: 0.2 to 1m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: white, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: brown, black, Autumn

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Root RotCommon
Powdery MildewUncommon
Slugs and SnailsUncommon

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed
When to plant: spring
Overwintering: In colder climates, this plant will die back completely after the first frost. Collect seeds in late autumn to ensure new growth for the following spring.
In containers: It grows very well in containers as long as the soil is kept consistently moist.

Seed Sowing

1. Collect mature seeds in late autumn.
2. Store in a cool, dry place over winter.
3. Sow directly into moist soil in early spring.

Group this plant with other moisture loving species to create a lush, water tolerant garden bed.

Grows well with

Rice — They often share the same wet habitat conditions.
Water Hyssop — Both plants thrive in moist, boggy soil conditions.

Similar species

Wedelia — It shares a similar growth habit and flower structure.

Science

Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Eclipta
Order: Asterales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Widespread throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world.
Conservation: It is a widespread and common species with no conservation concerns.

It acts as a pioneer species in wetland habitats, quickly colonizing exposed mud and damp soil.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, beetles
Uses: ground cover, traditional medicine, wetland restoration

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 7/9
Nutrients: 6/9
Moisture: 8/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is Eclipta prostrata an invasive species?: It can be aggressive in wet, disturbed areas but is native to many tropical and subtropical regions.
Does it need full sun?: Yes, it performs best in full sun to partial shade.

Where the name comes from

The name Eclipta comes from the Greek word for deficient, referring to the lack of pappus on the seeds, while prostrata describes its low, spreading growth habit.

Good to know

It is commonly known as false daisy.
The plant has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine.
It thrives in moist environments and can even grow in shallow water.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.