Marsh woundwort.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Perennial herb

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

Bright indirect

Water

Every 2 to 4 days

Mature size

3 to 4 feet

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 3 to 8

Bloom time

Mid to late summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist to mimic its natural wetland habitat. Watch for wilting if the ground dries out too much. You can trim back the stems after flowering to keep the plant tidy.

Watering

Keep the soil damp at all times, as this plant does not tolerate drying out.

Feeding

Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.

Pruning

Cut back the flower stalks after they fade to encourage a clean appearance.

Repotting

Repot in early spring if the rhizomes become too crowded in the container.

Soil

Moist, loamy, or clay soil

Soil pH

Neutral to slightly acidic

Temperature

-30 to 30°C

Humidity

40 to 80%

Drought tolerance

Low

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

There are no significant reports of toxicity for humans.

Children

The plant is generally safe, but the hairy stems can be scratchy for small children to handle.

Contact allergens

The foliage can be slightly hairy, which may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

The pollen may trigger mild reactions in those with seasonal allergies.

Edibility

While historically consumed as a famine food, the tubers require thorough cleaning and cooking, and it is not recommended for casual foraging.

How to identify it

• Square stems typical of mint family
• Lance shaped leaves with serrated edges
• Spikes of pinkish purple flowers
• Soft hairs covering the foliage

Height

0.3 to 1m

Spread

0.2 to 0.6m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

pink, purple, 1 to 2cm

Problems to watch for

• Powdery Mildew · A white fungal growth on leaves often caused by poor air circulation.

Growing it

Propagation

division, seed

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

The foliage will die back naturally in winter. Simply clear away the dead stems in late winter or early spring to make room for new growth.

In containers

It can grow in containers, but ensure the pot is kept in a tray of water to maintain constant moisture.

Plant this in a contained area or a bog garden to prevent it from outcompeting smaller, less vigorous perennials.

Grows well with

• Purple Loosestrife · They share similar moisture requirements in a wetland setting.
• Meadowsweet · This plant provides a nice textural contrast in damp soil.

Similar species

• Hedge Woundwort · It is a related species that prefers shadier, drier woodland conditions.

Science

Family

Lamiaceae

Genus

Stachys

Order

Lamiales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Europe and temperate Asia.

Conservation

It is a common plant in its native range and is not currently of conservation concern.

It thrives in damp meadows and along stream banks where it can spread through its vigorous root system.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

pollinator garden, wetland restoration, wildlife habitat

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need a lot of water?

Yes, it prefers consistently moist to wet soil conditions.

Is it invasive?

It can be aggressive in garden beds due to its spreading rhizomes.

Where the name comes from

The name Stachys comes from the Greek word for ear of grain, referring to the flower spike, while palustris highlights its preference for marshy habitats.

Good to know

• It is commonly known as marsh woundwort.
• The specific epithet palustris means of the marsh.
• It spreads via underground rhizomes.
• It is a member of the mint family.