Sium latifolium
Sium 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 →
Pl. 3898 — Sium latifolium
Sium latifoliumSium latifoliumSium latifoliumSium latifoliumSium latifoliumSium latifoliumSium latifoliumSium latifoliumSium latifoliumSium latifoliumSium latifoliumSium latifoliumSium latifoliumSium latifolium
IOverview
Overview
Sium latifolium, commonly known as broad-leaved water parsnip, is a perennial plant native to central and western Europe, extending into parts of Asia such as Russia and Kazakhstan. It thrives in wetter environments with light or medium soil, preferring a pH between 7 and 7.5. This plant can grow up to 2 meters tall and is known for its edible leaves, which are part of its culinary use. Found across a wide range including Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, and many other countries, Sium latifolium is also notable for its distinctive broad, lobed leaves that set it apart from other plants in the Apiaceae family.
Quick answers
What is Sium latifolium?
Sium latifolium, commonly known as broad-leaved water parsnip, is a perennial plant native to central and western Europe, extending into parts of Asia such as Russia and Kazakhstan. It thrives in wetter environments with light or medium soil, preferring a pH between 7 and 7.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Sium latifolium thrives in moist conditions and prefers light or medium soil with a pH of 7-7.5. It is hardy in temperate regions, tolerating zones 5-9. This perennial plant grows up to 2 meters tall and requires full sun to partial shade. For best results, sow seeds directly in the garden or propagate by division in spring or fall. Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during active growth periods. The edible leaves can be harvested for culinary use.
Light
7/10
Water
Wet, Water
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium
Hardiness
5-9
Life cycle
Perennial
Mature size
2.0 m tall
Soil pH
7–7.5
For first-time growers
How to grow Sium latifolium for the first time
7steps
Start with Sium latifolium as a simple, hardy perennial for your garden.
- 1
What you'll need
A packet of seeds or young plants, a trowel, and some compost.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in early spring or late autumn when the soil is moist but not waterlogged.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a spot with well-draining soil that's slightly acidic to neutral (pH 7-7.5). Ensure containers are at least 30 cm deep.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 1 cm deep and 20 cm apart, or plant young seedlings in the same spacing.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep the soil consistently moist. Water regularly but avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide regular watering during dry spells and mulch around the base for moisture retention. Fertilize once in spring with a balanced organic fertilizer.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune dead foliage to maintain plant health and appearance, but avoid cutting back too much as it may affect next year's growth.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Leaves
Edible uses: The leaves of Sium latifolium are edible and can be eaten raw or cooked. Typically, they are prepared in salads for a fresh addition or steamed as a vegetable. They thrive in slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH between 7 and 7.5.
Other uses:Essential OilFragrance
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across2 continents· 30 native
Europe18 regions
native (18)AlbaniaAustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIrelandItalyNetherlandsPolandRomaniaRussiaUnited Kingdom
Asia1 region
native (1)Kazakhstan
Broader regions
native:Yugoslavia, Altay, Baltic States, Buryatiya, Czechoslovakia, Irkutsk, Krasnoyarsk
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
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 · 38986598-76b5-4078-a291-8d9a6af53c5d
Decision aid
Choosing between Sium latifolium and something else?
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.