Meadowsweet
Filipendula ulmaria
Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified clinician before using any herbal preparation — especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, while on medication, or for children. How we source & review →
Pl. B05E — Filipendula ulmaria
Filipendula ulmariaFilipendula ulmariaFilipendula ulmariaFilipendula ulmariaFilipendula ulmariaFilipendula ulmariaFilipendula ulmariaFilipendula ulmariaFilipendula ulmariaFilipendula ulmariaFilipendula ulmariaFilipendula ulmariaFilipendula ulmariaFilipendula ulmaria
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.
Quick answers
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.
Best for
Top 2 evidence-ranked uses of Meadowsweet
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources- 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.
- 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.
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Meadowsweet support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Meadowsweet thrives in moist to wet conditions and prefers light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soils with a pH of 5.5–6.5. It is hardy in temperate regions from zones 3-9 and can grow up to 1.2 meters tall with a spread of 0.6 meters. For best results, plant meadowsweet in full sun or partial shade. Propagate through division or seed sowing. The edible parts include flowers, leaves, and roots.
Light
7/10
Water
Moist, Wet
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
3-9
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
1.2 m × 0.6 m
Soil pH
5.5–6.5
For first-time growers
How to grow Meadowsweet for the first time
8steps
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
Edible parts:FlowersLeavesRoot
Edible uses: Condiment, Tea
Other uses:DyeEssential OilFragranceStrewing
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across2 continents· 30 native
Europe18 regions
native (18)AustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIcelandIrelandItalyNetherlandsNorwayRussiaUkraineUnited Kingdom
Asia3 regions
native (3)IranKazakhstanMongolia
Broader regions
native:Baltic States, Buryatiya, Czechoslovakia, Irkutsk, Kirgizstan, Krasnoyarsk
IXSpecimen 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.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
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