Marsh Woundwort
Stachys palustris
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. 3BA0 — Stachys palustris
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IOverview
Overview
Marsh Woundwort (Stachys palustris) is a perennial herb that thrives in moist to wet conditions across Europe and parts of Asia, from the British Isles and Scandinavia to the Balkans and Siberia. Known for its edible leaves, roots, shoots, and seeds, it can be found growing naturally in Albania, Altay, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, and other regions within its native range. This plant prefers light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soils with a pH between 5.7 and 8, making it adaptable to various environments. One distinctive feature is its light: 7/10 rating, indicating that it requires moderate sunlight for optimal growth. Its ability to grow in moist conditions and its edible parts make it a valuable plant both in the wild and cultivated settings.
Quick answers
What is Marsh Woundwort?
Marsh Woundwort (Stachys palustris) is a perennial herb that thrives in moist to wet conditions across Europe and parts of Asia, from the British Isles and Scandinavia to the Balkans and Siberia.
What is Marsh Woundwort used for?
Traditionally used for digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 1 evidence-ranked use of Marsh Woundwort
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: Marsh Woundwort appears in herbal sources around after-meal comfort traditions, often as a tea. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original low confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
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.
Marsh Woundwort support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Marsh Woundwort thrives in moist to wet conditions and prefers light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soils. It is hardy in temperate regions with a range of zones 4-8. This perennial grows up to 1 meter tall and requires full sun to partial shade. For best results, maintain soil pH between 5.7 and 8. Propagate through seeds or division in the spring or fall. Harvest edible parts such as leaves, roots, shoots, and seeds for culinary use.
Light
7/10
Water
Moist, Wet
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
4-8
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
1.0 m tall
Soil pH
5.7–8
For first-time growers
How to grow Marsh Woundwort for the first time
8steps
Start with planting Marsh Woundwort in a moist, well-draining soil and follow these steps for success.
- 1
What you'll need
Marsh Woundwort seeds or young plants, a garden fork, 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
Choose a location with moist but well-draining soil. Amend heavy clay soils with sand and organic matter.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 1-2 cm deep in rows 30 cm apart, or plant young seedlings at the same spacing.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep soil consistently moist. Water regularly and mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water during dry spells but avoid overwatering. Fertilize once in early spring with a balanced organic fertilizer.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune back after flowering to encourage new growth and prevent self-seeding.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in heavy clay soil without amending, neglecting to mulch, not providing enough light, and over-fertilizing.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:LeavesRootSeedShoots
Edible uses: The marsh woundwort is edible and its leaves, roots, seeds, and shoots can be consumed. Typically, the leaves are used fresh in salads or cooked as a green vegetable. The roots and seeds can also be eaten raw or prepared by boiling. Skip the detailed preparation methods here to keep it concise.
Other uses:DyeFragrance
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across2 continents· 30 native
Europe18 regions
native (18)AlbaniaAustriaBelgiumBulgariaDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIrelandItalyNetherlandsNorwayPolandPortugalRussiaUnited Kingdom
Asia3 regions
native (3)IranKazakhstanMongolia
Broader regions
native:Krasnoyarsk, Baltic States, Czechoslovakia, Altay, Kirgizstan
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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