Short-fruited willowherb.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Perennial herb

Light

Partial shade to full sun

Indoor light

Bright indirect

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

2 to 3 feet

Growth rate

Medium

Hardiness

USDA 5 to 9

Bloom time

Mid to late summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist to mimic its natural damp habitat. Watch for wilting leaves which signal a need for more water. Ensure the plant has enough space as it can spread through underground runners.

Watering

Keep the soil damp but not waterlogged.

Feeding

Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.

Pruning

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms and prevent unwanted self seeding.

Repotting

Repot in early spring if the plant becomes root bound.

Soil

Moist, well draining soil

Soil pH

Neutral to slightly acidic

Temperature

-20 to 30°C

Humidity

40 to 80%

Safety

People

There are no reports of significant toxicity, but it is not intended for human consumption.

Children

The small, fluffy seeds can be an irritant if inhaled or if they get into eyes.

Edibility

This plant is not considered edible and should be avoided for consumption.

How to identify it

• Opposite lance shaped leaves
• Small pinkish or white flowers
• Four notched petals per bloom
• Slender elongated seed capsules

Height

0.3 to 0.8m

Spread

0.2 to 0.4m

Leaves

green, reddish, deciduous

Flowers

pink, 0.5 to 1cm

Fruit

brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

• Rust · Fungal infection causing orange spots on leaves.

Growing it

Propagation

seed, division

When to plant

spring, autumn

Group this plant with other moisture loving perennials to create a lush, low maintenance bog garden.

Grows well with

• Meadowsweet · They both thrive in the same moist soil conditions.
• Purple Loosestrife · It provides a similar aesthetic in damp garden areas.

Similar species

• Great Willowherb · It is a much larger relative with showier flowers.

Science

Family

Onagraceae

Genus

Epilobium

Order

Myrtales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Europe and parts of Western Asia.

Conservation

It is a common and widespread species with no special conservation concerns.

It thrives in damp, disturbed habitats like woodland clearings and stream banks where it can colonize open soil.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

wildlife garden, damp border, naturalistic planting

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is this plant invasive?

It can be quite vigorous and self seeds freely, so it may become a nuisance in small gardens.

Does it need full sun?

It prefers partial shade but will tolerate full sun if the soil stays consistently moist.

Where the name comes from

The name Epilobium refers to the flower parts sitting on the seed pod, while obscurum describes its somewhat inconspicuous appearance.

Good to know

• The genus name comes from the Greek words for upon and pod, referring to the petals sitting on top of the ovary.
• It is commonly known as the dull willowherb because of its less showy flowers compared to other species.
• It often hybridizes with other willowherbs in the wild.