Persicaria amphibia aka Water Smartweed

Taxonomy

Persicaria amphibia, also known as Polygonum amphibium, is a flowering plant in the knotweed family with several common names such as longroot smartweed, water knotweed, water smartweed, and amphibious bistort. It is native to a vast area across the northern hemisphere, including North America, Asia, Europe, and parts of Africa, and can also be found in other parts of the world as an introduced species and sometimes as a noxious weed. This rhizomatous perennial herb takes a variety of forms and is quite variable in morphology, growing in many types of wet habitats such as ponds, streams, and marshes. If you are looking to care for an amphibious bistort, it is a super rare houseplant that needs regular watering to thrive and grows best in direct light less than a foot away from a window. The plant prefers soil that is good at retaining moisture, and it should not need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size.

Common names

Water Smartweed, Amphibious Bistort, Water Persicaria

How to care for Water Smartweed

Difficulty

With its straightforward care requirements, Water Smartweed is a hassle-free plant that anyone can enjoy.

Water

Water Smartweed should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

If you're planting Water Smartweed, 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 Amphibious Bistort 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 Water Smartweed will thrive!

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Water Smartweed 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.

Toxicity

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.

Fertilizer

Once the Water Smartweed has doubled in size or after a year has passed, it should be moved to a new pot. By replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the vital nutrients, your plant will receive all the sustenance it needs, negating the requirement for fertilizer. It's important to remember that plants get their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.


More info:
Wikipedia