Broadleaf Plantain.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Herbaceous perennial

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

direct

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

Height: 6-12 inches, Spread: 12-18 inches

Growth rate

medium

Hardiness

USDA 3 to 9

Bloom time

Late spring to early fall

Care

This plant is very low maintenance and thrives in a variety of conditions. It tolerates foot traffic and poor soil, making it ideal for challenging spots.

Watering

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. It is fairly drought-tolerant once established.

Feeding

Generally does not require fertilization, especially in garden settings.

Pruning

Remove flower stalks if self-seeding is a concern.

Repotting

Rarely needs repotting; it's a groundcover plant that spreads readily.

Soil

Tolerates most soil types, prefers well-drained.

Soil pH

4.5 - 7.0

Temperature

-34.4 to 32.2°C

Humidity

40 to 60%

Safety

People

Non-toxic

Pets

Non-toxic

Edibility

While edible, it's often considered a weed. Ensure proper identification before consumption.

How to identify it

• Rosette of basal leaves
• Oval to egg-shaped leaves
• Parallel leaf veins
• Spike-like flower stalks
• Small, inconspicuous flowers
• Fibrous root system

Height

0.1524 to 0.3048m

Spread

0.3048 to 0.4572m

Leaves

Green, Brownish-green, evergreen

Flowers

Greenish-white, Brownish, 0.1 to 0.2cm

Common problems

• Fungal leaf spot — Round, brown spots on leaves can occur in humid conditions.
• Powdery mildew — A white, powdery growth on leaves, common in poor air circulation.
• Aphids — Small, soft-bodied insects that feed on plant sap, usually found on new growth.

Growing it

Propagation

Seed, Division

When to plant

Spring, Fall

Plantain does well in areas with compacted soil or moderate foot traffic, often thriving alongside lawn grasses.

Grows well with

• Clover — Clover helps fix nitrogen in the soil, benefiting plantain, and also tolerates similar growing conditions.
• Dandelion — Both are hardy plants that thrive in lawns and disturbed areas, tolerating similar conditions.

Keep away from

• Overly manicured lawns — Frequent, very close mowing can stress plantain, though it's surprisingly resilient.

Similar species

• Narrowleaf Plantain — Similar uses and habitat, but distinguished by its narrow, lance-shaped leaves instead of broad ones.

Science

Family

Plantaginaceae

Genus

Plantago

Order

Lamiales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Widespread across temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, naturalized globally.

It thrives in open, disturbed habitats with compacted soils, often colonizing areas that experience heavy foot traffic or are frequently mowed.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, larval host plant

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

Ornamental, Medicinal, Edible leaves and seeds, Wildlife attractant

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is Broadleaf Plantain invasive?

It's considered a widespread weed in many regions and can spread aggressively, but it's not typically classified as a noxious invasive species.

Can I eat Broadleaf Plantain leaves?

Yes, young leaves are edible and can be used in salads or cooked like spinach, though they can become quite fibrous as they mature.

Does it attract pollinators?

Yes, its flowers provide nectar for bees and butterflies.

Is it toxic to pets?

No, Broadleaf Plantain is not considered toxic to cats or dogs.

Where the name comes from

The genus name 'Plantago' comes from the Latin word 'planta', meaning 'sole of the foot', referring to the shape of its leaves. 'Major' means 'greater' or 'larger', distinguishing it from other species.

Good to know

• It's often called 'the white man's footprint' because it traveled with European settlers.
• The seeds are tiny and can remain viable in the soil for many years.
• It's a common lawn weed that's surprisingly nutritious.
• All parts of the plant are edible.