Meadowsweet
IOverview
Overview
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) is a perennial herb that thrives in moist to wet conditions and light, medium, or heavy soils with a pH of 5.5–6.5. Native to Europe and parts of Asia, it can be found across a wide range including Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, and more. Known for its edible flowers, leaves, and roots, meadowsweet is also valued for its ornamental qualities with light pink or white flowers that bloom in summer. One distinctive feature of this plant is its ability to grow up to 1.2 meters tall with a spread of 0.6 meters, making it a striking addition to wetland gardens or naturalized areas.
What is Meadowsweet?
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) is a perennial herb that thrives in moist to wet conditions and light, medium, or heavy soils with a pH of 5.5–6.5. Native to Europe and parts of Asia, it can be found across a wide range including Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, and more.
What is Meadowsweet used for?
Traditionally used for stress & anxiety, digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
IIBenefits & evidence
2 claims · traditional-use context
Benefits & evidence
2 claims · traditional-use context- Traditional-use note: Meadowsweet appears in herbal sources around calming and relaxation traditions, often as a traditional preparation. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original moderate confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
▲ ModerateStress & anxiety → - Meadowsweet has been traditionally used in European herbal medicine to soothe digestive discomfort, particularly for conditions like dyspepsia and gastritis. Its anti-inflammatory properties may help reduce stomach irritation.
Filipendula ulmaria contains salicylates which have anti-inflammatory effects similar to aspirin but are gentler on the stomach lining.
▲ ModerateDigestion →
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftVCultivation
Cultivation
How to grow Meadowsweet for the first time
Start with planting Meadowsweet in a moist, well-draining soil and follow these steps for success.
- 1
What you'll need
A young Meadowsweet plant or seeds, a trowel, compost, and mulch.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or in fall before the first freeze.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Ensure soil is moist, well-draining, with a pH of 5.5–6.5. Amend heavy clay soils with sand.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant young plants in spring or sow seeds directly where they will grow in early spring.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Monitor for pests and diseases.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide regular watering, especially during dry spells. Fertilize once a year with compost in early spring.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune after flowering to maintain shape and encourage new growth. Harvest leaves and flowers for culinary use.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in too heavy soil, neglecting regular watering during dry spells, not providing enough light, and over-fertilizing.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
VIIDistribution
49 native · 8 introduced
Distribution
49 native · 8 introducedIXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
Explore further
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
Continue reading
Get archive updates
Occasional email when substantial new content lands — plant profiles, seasonal growing notes, folk-remedy additions. Free, no tracking, unsubscribe anytime.