Common Marestail
Hippuris vulgarisfam. Scrophulariaceae
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Pl. E2F9 — Hippuris vulgaris
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IOverview
Overview
Common Marestail (Hippuris vulgaris) is a perennial herb found in wet and waterlogged habitats across North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of South America. Native to regions such as Afghanistan, Alaska, and Albania, it thrives in light, medium, or heavy soil types, particularly preferring wet conditions with a pH range of 4.8 to 7. The plant reaches heights of about 0.5 meters and is known for its edible leaves and shoots, which can be consumed. Common Marestail's distinctive feature lies in its ability to adapt to various environments, making it a resilient species in diverse ecosystems.
Quick answers
What is Common Marestail?
Common Marestail (Hippuris vulgaris) is a perennial herb found in wet and waterlogged habitats across North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of South America.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Common Marestail thrives in wet conditions and prefers light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soils with a pH between 4.8 and 7. It is hardy in temperate regions and can be found growing naturally from Afghanistan to Wyoming. This perennial plant reaches heights of about 0.5 meters and requires ample water but will tolerate various soil types. For optimal growth, provide full light or partial shade. Harvest the leaves and shoots for culinary use. Skip propagation details as they are not provided in the data.
Light
7/10
Water
Wet, Water
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.5 m tall
Soil pH
4.8–7
Seasonal calendar
Northern hemisphere · UTC month is September
winterspringsummerautumnwinter
BloomJFMAMJJASOND
For first-time growers
How to grow Common Marestail for the first time
8steps
Start with Common Marestail as a simple, low-maintenance addition to your garden.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or young plants, a container or garden bed.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or in fall before the first freeze.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use well-draining soil with a pH between 4.8 and 7, ensuring it's light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay).
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds in the garden bed or start young plants indoors before transplanting.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep soil consistently moist and provide partial shade to help seedlings establish.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly, especially during dry spells. Prune back any dead foliage to encourage new growth.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune plants in late winter or early spring to maintain shape and promote healthy growth.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in too heavy soil, neglecting to prune dead foliage.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:LeavesShoots
Edible uses: The Common Marestail's leaves and shoots are edible. Typically, they are prepared fresh, either raw or cooked. The plant thrives in wet conditions with a soil pH between 4.8 and 7, making it suitable for light to heavy soils.
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across3 continents· 30 native
Europe9 regions
native (9)AlbaniaAustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaDenmarkFinlandFranceRussia
Asia1 region
native (1)China
Americas1 region
native (1)United States
Broader regions
native:Alberta, Aleutian Is., Altay, Amur, Argentina South, Arizona, Baltic States, British Columbia, Buryatiya, California, Chile Central, Chile South, Chita, Colorado, Czechoslovakia, Føroyar
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 (Scrophulariaceae), common use cases, and growing requirements.
same family · Scrophulariaceae
Botanical relatives — often share phytochemistry + growing needs.
XI
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Companion planting
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