Lysimachia vulgaris aka Garden Loosestrife

Taxonomy

Lysimachia vulgaris, also known as yellow loosestrife or garden loosestrife, is a hairy perennial herbaceous plant in the Primulaceae. It forms clumps through creeping stolons or rhizomes and has ovate green leaves, sometimes with black dots, which grow in groups of three or four. The plant produces yellow flowers in terminal clusters during the summer months. It can grow up to 1.2 meters tall and is hardy in zone 5 of the UK. Lysimachia vulgaris is a versatile plant that can thrive in various soil types, including light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with different pH levels ranging from acidic to alkaline. It can tolerate semi-shade or no shade and prefers moist or wet soil, even growing in water. Apart from its ornamental value, this plant has several practical uses. It can be used for dyeing wool yellow and brown and is also popular in traditional medicine. The herb contains glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, and vitamin C, and is known for its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, choleretic, and tonic properties. The plant's sap has a hemostatic effect and is used to treat uterine and pulmonary bleeding. Additionally, Lysimachia vulgaris is used to address scurvy, jaundice, rheumatism, and throat ailments. In some regions, it is also known as monethe or meadow tea, and it is often found alongside another creeping stem plant called Lysimachia nummularia. Overall, this versatile plant holds both aesthetic and medicinal value.

Common names

Garden Loosestrife, Yellow Loosestrife

How to care for Garden Loosestrife

Difficulty

Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for Garden Loosestrife due to its easy-going nature.

Water

Garden Loosestrife should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Garden Loosestrife 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.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Garden Loosestrife prefers bright diffused 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.

Toxicity

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.

Humidity

No extra humidity is necessary for the Garden Loosestrife. Absorption of water by plants is primarily done through their roots, and soil watering is the most effective method to provide humidity to your plants.

Fertilizer

Repotting the Garden Loosestrife 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.

Region of origin

Garden Loosestrife’s native range is Worldwide.


More info:
Wikipedia