How to Grow and Care for Ground elder

Ground elder, also known as Bishop's weed, Goutweed, Snow-in-the-mountain, Herb gerard

Ground elder is a resilient, low-maintenance perennial known for its invasiveness, which means special care should be taken to control its spread. It thrives in moist, shaded areas but can adapt to various conditions. Key care points include regular monitoring to prevent overgrowth and ensuring it doesn't encroach on other plants' space. Adequate space and occasional watering suffice for its care, making ground elder an easy plant to maintain.

Watering schedule: Every week

Sunlight Requirements: Partial sun

In This Article

Planting and Growing Ground elder

Toughness	High
Care Level	Medium
Care Difficulty	Easy
Lifespan	Perennial
Watering Schedule	Every week
Sunlight Requirements	Partial sun
Soil Type	Garden Soil
Soil pH	6-7.5
Planting Time	Spring, Early summer, Fall, Early winter
Hardiness Zones	3-9

A Botanist in Your Pocket

Scan QR code to download

Varieties of Ground elder

Ground elder 'Variegatum'

Ground elder 'Variegatum' got its name from its varied two-colored green and cream leaves. This mixed color sets this hybrid apart from the parent plant, which has plain green leaves. This plant is used by gardeners as groundcover since it forms a dense mat that keeps out weeds effectively.

Common Pests & Diseases

Feedback

Common issues for Ground elder based on 10 million real cases

Plant disease auto-diagnose & prevention

AI-powered plant doctor helps you diagnose plant problems in seconds.

Download the App for Free

More General Info About Ground elder

Feedback

Quickly Identify Ground elder

Feedback

Instantly identify plants with a snap

Snap a photo for instant plant ID, gaining quick insights on disease prevention, treatment, toxicity, care, uses, and symbolism, etc.

Download the App for Free

Ground elder is characterized by its sprawling growth pattern, which stems from vigorous, branched rhizomes that are white in color. This plant typically manifests in dense colonies due to its expansive underground network. The foliage of ground elder is compound with a triangular shape, and its leaflets numbering three are toothed and pointed. From late spring to early summer, ground elder produces clusters of small, white flowers that rise above the foliage on stems up to 3 feet (approximately 90 cm) tall. These umbrella-like flower clusters give ground elder a distinguishable appearance in disturbed sites where it often takes hold.