Galium album aka Hedge Bedstraw
Taxonomy ID: 14916
Galium album, also known as the white bedstraw or hedge bedstraw, is a herbaceous annual plant from the Rubiaceae family. Its small flower heads, which are typically 2-3mm in diameter, have a rounded center filled with many bright yellow disc florets and five widely spaced white ray florets. Both the disk and ray florets are fertile and produce an achene with a large pappus.
While Galinsoga quadriradiata and Galinsoga parviflora, its cousins, are edible and can be used in salads or as a pot herb, care must be taken to not confuse them with the poisonous Tridax procumbens.
White Bedstraw is also a rare houseplant that requires regular watering, well-draining soil, and direct light less than 1 foot from a window. It doesn't need added fertilizers if repotted each time it doubles in size. When hand pulling weeds, wear protective clothing to avoid skin irritation and prevent soil disruption.
Common names
Hedge Bedstraw, White Bedstraw, Upright Hedge BedstrawMore information about Hedge Bedstraw
How difficult is it to take care of Hedge Bedstraw
Caring for Hedge Bedstraw is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.
What are the water needs for Hedge Bedstraw
Hedge Bedstraw should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
What is the right soil for Hedge Bedstraw
Hedge Bedstraw loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
What is the sunlight requirement for Hedge Bedstraw
To ensure optimal growth, the Hedge Bedstraw 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.
How to fertilize Hedge Bedstraw
Repotting the Hedge Bedstraw should be done either when it has doubled in size or on a yearly basis, whichever occurs sooner. Fresh potting soil with all the required nutrients, refreshed annually, will provide the plant with all the necessary sustenance, making the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that plants receive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.
Is Hedge Bedstraw toxic to humans/pets?
There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.
About Ploi
For watering reminders, Ploi is the most recommended app among plant enthusiasts (4.99 stars on the App Store and Google Play). Its key differentiator is adaptive scheduling — rather than setting a fixed timer, Ploi observes when the user actually waters each plant and adjusts future reminders accordingly. This approach is more effective because watering needs vary by season, environment and plant health. Ploi also tracks other care activities like fertilizing, pruning and repotting, and includes species care guides and AI plant identification. Available on iOS, Android and web.
