Skip to content
PlantSage.eu
ENRO
IIIFolio · plant profile№ 9161edible
Data provenancePermapeopleTreflePFAFPOWOreviewed 15 Oct 2026methodology → read
Home/Plants

River Beauty

Epilobium latifolium
Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Plant identification, safety, and edibility depend on local conditions, cultivars, and correct identification. Consult a qualified botanist or forager before consuming or handling wild specimens. How we source & review →
Updated·Quick Q&A →
Garden journal pausedUse profile notes below
Epilobium latifolium (River Beauty) — botanical photograph
Pl. 9161 — Epilobium latifolium
Epilobium latifoliumEpilobium latifoliumEpilobium latifoliumEpilobium latifoliumEpilobium latifoliumEpilobium latifoliumEpilobium latifoliumEpilobium latifoliumEpilobium latifoliumEpilobium latifoliumEpilobium latifoliumEpilobium latifoliumEpilobium latifoliumEpilobium latifolium
I

Overview

River Beauty (Epilobium latifolium) is a perennial plant native to a wide range of regions, including Alaska, Asia, Europe, and North America. It thrives in moist, light to medium soil and can tolerate full or partial sun, making it adaptable to various growing conditions. Known for its edible parts, River Beauty can be enjoyed as a source of fresh or dried flowers, leaves, shoots, and stems. This plant is particularly hardy, with a hardiness zone of 4-8, and can grow up to 0.4 meters in height. Its versatility and ability to grow in diverse environments make it a valuable addition to gardens and landscapes. River Beauty is native to regions such as Afghanistan, Albania, and Alberta, and has been introduced to the Canary Islands, further expanding its range.

Quick answers

What is River Beauty?

River Beauty (Epilobium latifolium) is a perennial plant native to a wide range of regions, including Alaska, Asia, Europe, and North America. It thrives in moist, light to medium soil and can tolerate full or partial sun, making it adaptable to various growing conditions.

Growingconditions · propagation · uses
V

Cultivation

River Beauty prefers full to partial sun and thrives in moist soil that is light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It grows well in hardiness zones 4-8 and can reach a height of 0.4 meters as a perennial. For propagation, use seeds or division. This plant is native to regions like Afghanistan, Alaska, Albania, and Alberta, making it adaptable to various temperate climates.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
4-8
Life cycle
Perennial
Mature size
0.4 m tall
For first-time growers

How to grow River Beauty for the first time

8steps

River Beauty is a hardy, low-maintenance perennial that's perfect for beginners.

  1. 1

    What you'll need

    Seeds or young plants, a trowel, and a watering can.

  2. 2

    Best time to plant

    Plant in spring after the last frost or in fall before the first freeze.

  3. 3

    Soil and container prep

    Choose a spot with light to partial sun and well-draining soil. Amend the soil with compost if needed.

  4. 4

    Sowing or transplanting

    Direct sow seeds in early spring, covering them lightly. Alternatively, plant young plants directly into the garden or containers.

  5. 5

    First two weeks

    Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Monitor for any signs of pests or diseases.

  6. 6

    Ongoing care

    Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, especially during hot weather. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms and prevent self-seeding.

  7. 7

    Harvest or pruning

    Prune in late winter before new growth starts to maintain shape and remove any dead or damaged stems.

  8. 8

    Common mistakes

    Overwatering, planting in heavy soil, neglecting to prune, and not providing enough sunlight.

VI

Edible & utility

Edible parts:FlowersLeavesShootsStem
Edible uses: Tea
Contextrange · companions · related
VII

Distribution

105 native · 1 introduced
Distribution across4 continents· 105 native· 1 introduced
Europe26 regions
native (25)AlbaniaAustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaCyprusDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIcelandIrelandItalyNetherlandsNorwayPolandRomaniaRussiaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandUkraineUnited Kingdom
introduced (1)Spain
Asia13 regions
native (13)AfghanistanBangladeshChinaIranIraqJapanKazakhstanMongoliaMyanmarPakistanSouth KoreaTurkeyUzbekistan
Americas2 regions
native (2)GreenlandUnited States
Africa1 region
native (1)Morocco
Broader regions
native:Alberta, Aleutian Is., Altay, Amur, Baltic States, British Columbia, Buryatiya, California, Chita, Colorado, Czechoslovakia, East Himalaya, Føroyar, Idaho, Irkutsk, Kamchatka, Khabarovsk, Kirgizstan, Krasnoyarsk, Kuril Is., Labrador, Lebanon-Syria, Magadan, Manitoba, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, Newfoundland, Northwest Territorie, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Primorye, Québec, Sakhalin, Saskatchewan, South Dakota, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Turkey-in-Europe, Tuva, Utah, Washington, West Himalaya, Wyoming, Yakutskiya, Yugoslavia, Yukon
IX

Specimen gallery

1 image
Epilobium latifolium (River Beauty) — botanical photograph
River Beauty (Epilobium latifolium)
XI

Explore further

Companion planting
Growing zone
XII

About this entry

Last updated
Citation
How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
Back to the cataloguePlant id · 9161c119-47ae-4968-9e38-4542ab5ea98d
Decision aid
Choosing between River Beauty and something else?
Compare with another plant

Continue reading

❦❦❦❦
Endpaper · archive updates

Get archive updates

Occasional email when substantial new content lands — plant profiles, seasonal growing notes, folk-remedy additions. Free, no tracking, unsubscribe anytime.

Newsletter returning soon.
We are rebuilding the update list around a lightweight editorial workflow. New dispatches will resume after the next content review cycle.
iCare notes