Willow Herb
Epilobium angustifolium
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Pl. 4DF0 — Epilobium angustifolium
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IOverview
Overview
Willow Herb (Epilobium angustifolium) is a perennial plant native to regions including Afghanistan, Alaska, and Albania. It thrives in various habitats across the globe, from North America to Asia and Europe. Known for its edible parts—flowers, leaves, roots, shoots, and stems—it can be found growing in light (sandy), medium, and heavy (clay) soils with a pH of 5–5.5. Willow Herb prefers dry to moist conditions and is hardy in zones 3-7. Its distinctive feature lies in its adaptability across diverse climates and landscapes, making it a valuable addition to gardens or foraged foods.
Quick answers
What is Willow Herb?
Willow Herb (Epilobium angustifolium) is a perennial plant native to regions including Afghanistan, Alaska, and Albania. It thrives in various habitats across the globe, from North America to Asia and Europe.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Willow Herb is a perennial plant that thrives in light to medium soil with a pH of 5-5.5. It prefers dry to moist conditions and can grow up to 2 meters tall. Hardy in zones 3-7, it is native to regions like Afghanistan, Alaska, and Albania. Willow Herb requires full sun or partial shade for optimal growth. For propagation, you can use seeds or divide the roots. The edible parts include flowers, leaves, root, shoots, and stems. Ensure consistent watering during dry spells but avoid overwatering to keep the soil moist rather than wet.
Light
5/10
Water
Dry, Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
3-7
Life cycle
Perennial
Mature size
2.0 m tall
Soil pH
5–5.5
For first-time growers
How to grow Willow Herb for the first time
8steps
Willow Herb is a hardy perennial that's easy to grow for beginners, making it an excellent choice for your first gardening project.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or young plants, a garden fork, and a trowel.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or in fall before the first freeze.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a spot with well-draining soil that's light (sandy), medium, or heavy. Ensure the pH is between 5 and 5.5.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds in the garden after danger of frost has passed, or start them indoors 4-6 weeks before planting outside.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Monitor for pests and diseases.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water when the top inch of soil is dry, especially during hot weather. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune back after flowering to maintain shape and prevent self-seeding. Harvest leaves and stems for culinary use in late spring or early summer.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting too deep, neglecting deadheading.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:FlowersLeavesRootShootsStem
Edible uses: Tea
Other uses:FibertextilesFire starterWind breaker
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across3 continents· 30 native
Europe8 regions
native (8)AlbaniaAustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaCyprusFranceRussia
Asia4 regions
native (4)AfghanistanBangladeshChinaIndia
Americas1 region
native (1)United States
Broader regions
native:Alberta, Aleutian Is., Altay, Amur, Arizona, Arkansas, Baltic States, British Columbia, Buryatiya, California, Chita, Colorado, Connecticut, Czechoslovakia, Delaware
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
Explore further
Companion planting
Growing zone
XII
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