Does it need full sun?

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

How often should I water it?

Keep the soil consistently moist, as this plant naturally grows in wetlands and does not tolerate drought.

Plant guide

Meadowsweet.

Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim.

Pronounced fil-ih-PEN-dyoo-luh ul-MARE-ee-uh

Also known as European Meadowsweet, Meadowsweet

Meadowsweet is a lovely perennial that loves damp soil and brings a sweet, almond scent to your garden. It produces frothy clusters of creamy white flowers that look great in borders. You'll find it naturally growing in meadows and along stream banks.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 2 to 4 days
Mature size: 4 to 6 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 9
Bloom time: Early to mid summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist because this plant hates drying out. Watch for wilting leaves as a sign that it needs more water. It is a hardy grower that spreads easily in the right conditions.

Watering: Keep the soil damp at all times to mimic its natural wetland habitat.
Feeding: Apply a balanced organic compost in early spring to support new growth.
Pruning: Cut the stems back to the ground in late autumn after the foliage dies back.
Repotting: Divide the root clumps every few years to keep the plant healthy and prevent overcrowding.
Soil: Rich, moist, humus rich soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly acidic
Temperature: -30 to 30°C
Humidity: 50 to 80%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years
Fragrance: Strong
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water sitting on the surface for too long
Plant growth slowing significantly

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered safe in moderation, but the high salicylate content can cause issues for those with aspirin allergies.
Children: While not highly toxic, the plant should be kept away from small children to prevent accidental ingestion of stems or leaves.
Contact allergens: The foliage can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen may trigger hay fever in susceptible people during the peak flowering season.
Edibility: The plant contains salicylates, so individuals sensitive to aspirin should avoid consuming it.

How to identify it

Frothy clusters of creamy white flowers
Deeply veined dark green leaves
Reddish stems
Sweet almond scented blooms

Height: 0.6 to 1.5m
Spread: 0.45 to 0.9m
Leaves: dark green, deciduous
Flowers: creamy white, 0.5 to 0.8cm
Fruit: brown, late summer

Problems to watch for

Powdery MildewCommon
RustCommon
AphidsUncommon
Slugs and SnailsUncommon

By symptom

Check your meadowsweet from a photo

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Cut the foliage back to the ground in late autumn after the first frost. Mulch lightly if you live in an area with extreme temperature fluctuations.
In containers: It can grow in large containers, but you must ensure the pot is kept in a saucer of water to maintain constant moisture.

Division

1. Dig up the clump in early spring.
2. Use a sharp spade to divide the root mass into smaller sections.
3. Replant immediately into moist, rich soil.

Plant in groups with other moisture-loving perennials to create a lush, bog-style garden bed.

Grows well with

Purple Loosestrife — They share similar moisture requirements and create a beautiful color contrast.
Marsh Marigold — Both thrive in boggy conditions and provide early season interest.

Similar species

Dropwort — A smaller relative that prefers drier soil conditions.

Science

Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Filipendula
Order: Rosales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Europe and Western Asia
Conservation: It is common and widespread throughout its native range and is not currently of conservation concern.

It survives in the wild by colonizing damp meadows and riverbanks where its deep roots can access constant water.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, larval host plant
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, beetles
Uses: ornamental border plant, pollinator garden, medicinal herb, fragrant dried flowers

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 6/9
Temperature: 5/9
Nutrients: 6/9
Salinity: 1/9
Moisture: 8/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full sun?: It prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade if the soil remains consistently moist.
How often should I water it?: Keep the soil consistently moist, as this plant naturally grows in wetlands and does not tolerate drought.

Where the name comes from

The name Filipendula comes from the Latin words for thread and hanging, referring to the root tubers that look like beads on a string. Ulmaria refers to the leaves, which resemble those of an elm tree.

Good to know

The plant has a sweet, almond-like fragrance.
It was one of the three sacred herbs used by Druids.
The name aspirin is derived from the plant's former scientific name, Spiraea ulmaria.
It thrives in damp, boggy soil where other plants struggle.

Keep your meadowsweet growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

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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.