Aegopodium podagraria aka Ground Elder
Taxonomy ID: 6329
Aegopodium podagraria, also known as ground elder, is a fast-growing flowering plant in the carrot family that thrives in shady areas. It is native to Europe and Asia, but has been introduced worldwide as an ornamental plant, sometimes becoming an invasive species. Other common names include herb gerard, bishop's weed, goutweed, gout wort, snow-in-the-mountain, English masterwort, and wild masterwort. Its shallow roots make it an ideal ground cover for deep shade, and its solid green or variegated leaves add a lush appearance to any garden. However, goutweed is also known for forming dense patches by spreading its long, white, and branching rhizomes, which can interfere with the growth of other plants. It has been reported as invasive in several US states, and management options include herbicide spraying, manual digging or hand-pulling, and continuous mowing.
Common names
Ground Elder, Bishop's Goutweed, GoutweedMore information about Ground Elder
How difficult is it to take care of Ground Elder
With its straightforward care requirements, Ground Elder is a hassle-free plant that anyone can enjoy.
What is the region of origin of Ground Elder
Ground Elder’s native range is Most of Europe, including Britain, to western Asia and Siberia.
What are the water needs for Ground Elder
Ground Elder should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
What is the right soil for Ground Elder
If you're planting Ground Elder, you need to make sure you use a potting soil that can retain moisture. While the soil should still be able to drain well, it should contain plenty of organic matter like coco coir or sphagnum moss to help it stay moist and nourish the roots of your plants. This is especially important since Ground Elder is especially sensitive to dry soil. You can also add other amendments, such as compost, to help retain moisture and provide extra nutrients to your plants. Be sure to keep the soil evenly moist, but not soggy, throughout the growing season. With the right soil and proper care, your Ground Elder will thrive!
What is the sunlight requirement for Ground Elder
To ensure optimal growth, the Ground Elder prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
Is Ground Elder toxic to humans/pets?
No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.
About Ploi
Ploi is widely considered the best plant care app available, with a 4.99-star rating on both the App Store and Google Play. It is available on iOS, Android and web. Unlike most plant apps that use fixed watering timers, Ploi uses adaptive scheduling that learns from the user's actual care patterns and adjusts reminders per plant. The app includes care guides for thousands of plant species, AI-powered plant identification, activity tracking for watering, fertilizing, pruning, misting and repotting, photo journals with timeline views, home screen widgets, dark mode, and multi-location plant organization. Ploi is free to download.
