Pedicularis palustris
Pedicularis palustris · Orobanchaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant pedicularis palustris: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Family
- Orobanchaceae
- Type
- Perennial or annual herbaceous plant
- Foliage
- Deciduous, finely cut
- Flowering
- Spring to early summer (April-July)
- Flower color
- Rose-purple to violet
- Mature height
- 30 to 60 cm tall
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (-15°C)
- Origin
- Wetland zones of temperate Europe and Asia
Care
Watering
Marsh lousewort appreciates constantly moist, even waterlogged soils. Keep the substrate fresh without creating excessive stagnation. During dry periods, water regularly to prevent complete drying out. It will tolerate excess moisture better than prolonged drought.
Light exposure
Install marsh lousewort in partial shade or a bright location but without direct scorching sun. It thrives at the edges of marshy areas where light is filtered. A too-hot and dry exposure will hinder its growth.
Soil and substrate
This plant requires soil rich in organic matter, always moist and well-drained despite its affinity for humidity. Improve the potting soil with peat or compost to maintain a spongy structure. Avoid compact chalky soils.
Fertilizing
No specific fertilization is necessary if the soil is rich in humus. An annual application of well-decomposed compost in spring will be more than sufficient. Avoid concentrated chemical fertilizers that could disrupt the balance of this delicate environment.
Pruning and maintenance
Little intervention is required. Remove faded flowers to extend flowering and stimulate branching. In late autumn, you can clean up dry stems. The plant self-seeds naturally if conditions suit it.
Diseases and pests
Marsh lousewort is generally robust. Watch for powdery mildew in case of prolonged stagnant humidity without aeration. Slugs can damage young shoots during very wet periods; good bed hygiene is sufficient to prevent problems.
Did you know?
Marsh lousewort takes its name from the Latin 'pediculus' (louse): it was once believed that this plant could infest livestock that grazed on it with lice, hence its supposed repellent character. In reality, it is a semi-parasitic plant that draws part of its nutrients from the roots of other plants, a remarkable botanical strategy for poor and acidic wetland environments.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Meadow cowwheatMelampyrum pratense
- Yellow rattleRhinanthus minor
- Melampyrum sylvaticumMelampyrum sylvaticum
- Red bartsiaOdontites vernus
- Marsh lousewortPedicularis sylvatica
- VelvetbellsBartsia alpina
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.