How to Grow and Care for Purple loosestrife

Purple loosestrife, also known as Rainbow weed, Rosy stripes, Spiked loosestrife, Salicaire, Purple lythrum

Purple loosestrife is a robust perennial that thrives in wet environments and is considered easy to care for. It requires full sun to partial shade and consistently moist soil to flourish. Special care must be taken to control its spread, as it can be invasive, displacing native vegetation. Regular removal of non-flowering parts can help manage its growth.

Watering schedule: Every week

Sunlight Requirements: Full sun

In This Article

Planting and Growing Purple loosestrife

Toughness	High
Care Level	Medium
Care Difficulty	Easy
Lifespan	Perennial, Annual
Watering Schedule	Every week
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun
Soil Type	Garden Soil
Soil pH	5.5-7
Planting Time	Spring
Hardiness Zones	6-8

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Varieties of Purple loosestrife

Purple loosestrife 'Feuerkerze'

Purple loosestrife 'Feuerkerze' is a double-flowered purple loosestrife cultivar that is known for its low seed production, which minimizes unwanted seedlings. 'Feuerkerze' is German for 'fire candle,' which is a perfect name for this cultivar considering the flowers are usually rose-red.

Purple loosestrife 'Swirl'

Purple loosestrife 'Swirl''s prolific, spiraling blooms of bright purple make this variety especially unique. Cultivated as a loosestrife hybrid, purple loosestrife 'Swirl' was named after its delightful swirling growth habit. It is a popular cultivar due to its large clumps of growth, lovely colors, and ease of care.

Purple loosestrife 'Blush'

Purple loosestrife 'Blush' is a variety of the Lythrum salicaria, named for its blush-colored flowers. Partly because of its height, the purple loosestrife 'Blush' has been designated a great plant for pollinators by the Royal Horticultural Society. While it is a great flower for pollinators, the purple loosestrife 'Blush' is also an aggressive spreader in gardens.

Purple loosestrife 'Robert'

Purple loosestrife 'Robert' is a perennial herb that boasts flower brushes of a rich violet color in summer. This flower color is deeper than that of the parent plant, and the petals are wider and more defined. This hybrid is also known as Little Robert because it grows to just 90 cm whereas the parent plant can reach over 2 m. Butterflies and bees flock to the plant's flowers.

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More General Info About Purple loosestrife

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Quickly Identify Purple loosestrife

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Purple loosestrife is characterized by its upright growth habit, reaching heights of up to 4 feet (120 cm). It displays lance-shaped leaves arranged opposite or in whorls along the robust stem. In summer months, purple loosestrife produces striking spikes of dense, magenta flowers, which are beloved by butterflies and bees. Each flower within the spike is small with six petals. The overall inflorescence can add up to 18 inches (45 cm) in length to the plant's profile. The striking floral display and its preference for moist environments make purple loosestrife easily recognizable.