Stachys annua aka Annual Yellow Woundwort

Taxonomy

Stachys annua, commonly known as the annual yellow woundwort, is a flowering plant in the hedgenettle genus Stachys. It is native to Europe, the Middle East, and western Siberia, but has been introduced in Cyprus, eastern North America, and Amur Oblast and Primorsky Krai in far eastern Russia. This herbaceous plant grows up to 30 cm in height and is commonly found in fields, road verges, and waste places. The stem is upright and branchy, while the leaves are oblong-elliptical with finely notched to more or less entire margins. The flowers are short-stalked, sulfur-yellow in color, and sit in 2 to 8-flowered, but mostly 6-flowered pseudo-whorls. The plant blooms mainly from June to October. However, it is important to note that this plant might be poisonous. To get rid of it, annuals with shallow fibrous roots can be removed by pulling by hand after prying up with a shovel from underneath to loosen the ground. As a houseplant, the annual yellow woundwort needs regular watering and direct light to thrive. It prefers soil that is well-draining and does not require added fertilizers if repotted each time it doubles in size.

Common names

Annual Yellow Woundwort, Annual Hedge Nettle, Annual Hedgenettle

How to care for Annual Yellow Woundwort

Difficulty

Annual Yellow Woundwort is a low-maintenance plant that requires minimal attention, making it an excellent choice for beginners.

Water

Annual Yellow Woundwort should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Annual Yellow Woundwort 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

Annual Yellow Woundwort requires abundant, bright and direct light. Placing it less than one foot from a window is the best way to make sure the plant receives enough light to survive and thrive. Depending on your region, however, the current weather can affect the placement of the plant in your home. For example, in some areas the sun may be too direct and intense, so it's best to place it farther away from the window. You may also need to adjust your placement according to the season as the sunlight can change intensity over the course of the year. If you live in a region with significant temperature fluctuations, such as a desert, you may need to place the plant a bit farther away from the window to avoid extreme heat or cold. With some care and attention, your Annual Yellow Woundwort will be sure to bring you many years of beauty and enjoyment.

Toxicity

Ploi's records do not contain confirmed information on the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event of accidental ingestion of plant material with questionable toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional.

Fertilizer

The Annual Yellow Woundwort should be repotted either when it doubles in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing new potting soil with all the vital nutrients annually is enough to support the growth of the plant, and thus, there is no need for fertilizer. Remember that plants derive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.


More info:
Wikipedia