Does it need a lot of water?

Yes, it prefers consistently moist to wet soil.

Can I grow it in a regular garden bed?

Only if you can provide constant moisture, otherwise it will struggle.

Plant guide

Gypsywort.

Lycopus europaeus

Pronounced ly-KOH-pus yoo-roh-PAY-us

Also known as European bugleweed, European water-horehound, Gipsy wort, Gypsywort, bugleweed, gipsywort

Gypsywort is a charming perennial that loves to hang out near water. It is a member of the mint family but lacks the strong scent you might expect. You will often find it growing wild along riverbanks and damp meadows.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial herb
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 1 to 3 days
Mature size: 3 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 9
Bloom time: Mid to late summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist as this plant thrives in wet conditions. Watch for yellowing leaves which often signal that the soil has dried out too much. It is a very hardy grower that rarely needs much fuss.

Watering: Ensure the soil stays damp at all times.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back spent flower stems to encourage a tidy appearance.
Repotting: Repot when the roots have filled the container or the plant becomes crowded.
Soil: Moist to wet soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly acidic
Temperature: -25 to 30°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%

Safety

People: It is generally considered non-toxic, but medicinal use should be supervised by a professional.
Children: There are no specific safety concerns for children, but it is best to keep them from eating wild plants.
Contact allergens: The foliage can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen is not considered a significant allergen.
Edibility: While historically used in herbal medicine, it is not considered a food plant and should be avoided.

How to identify it

Opposite lance shaped serrated leaves
Small white flowers with purple spots
Square stems typical of mint family
Grows in dense clumps
Spreads via underground runners

Height: 0.3 to 1m
Spread: 0.2 to 0.4m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: white, 0.3 to 0.5cm

Problems to watch for

Aphids · Small insects that may cluster on new growth.

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn

Group this plant with other moisture-loving species to create a self-sustaining bog garden.

Grows well with

Purple Loosestrife · They share similar moisture requirements in wetland settings.
Marsh Marigold · Both plants thrive in the same boggy soil conditions.

Similar species

Water Mint · It occupies similar damp habitats and has a comparable growth habit.

Science

Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Lycopus
Order: Lamiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Europe and parts of Asia.
Conservation: It is a common and widespread species with no special conservation status.

It is a moisture-loving plant that naturally colonizes riverbanks and marshy areas.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: wetland restoration, pollinator gardens, rain gardens

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

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

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need a lot of water?: Yes, it prefers consistently moist to wet soil.
Can I grow it in a regular garden bed?: Only if you can provide constant moisture, otherwise it will struggle.

Where the name comes from

The name Lycopus refers to the leaf shape resembling a wolf's foot, while europaeus denotes its European origin.

Good to know

It thrives in damp soil and is often found near ponds or streams.
The name Lycopus comes from Greek words meaning wolf and foot.
It spreads via underground runners, forming small colonies.
The flowers are tiny and tucked into the leaf axils.

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.