Persicaria hydropiper
waterpepper
Temperate Europe, Asia, and North Africa
SunFull Sun – Part Shade
WaterHigh
Overview
Persicaria hydropiper is an annual of wet ground, growing 8-30 inches (20-75 cm) tall on slender, often reddish, jointed stems that branch from the base. The lanceolate leaves are 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long, mid-green and sometimes dark-blotched, with a membranous sheath (ocrea) clasping each node, and they redden as the season ends. Crushed foliage and sap have a sharp, peppery taste that gives the plant its common name. From midsummer into autumn it bears slender, nodding flower spikes 1-3 inches (2.5-8 cm) long; the tiny flowers are greenish-white flushed pink and are dotted with glands. The species grows in ditches, pond and stream margins, damp meadows, and disturbed wet soil, tolerating seasonal flooding but not prolonged drought. It self-seeds freely and can spread quickly on bare wet ground, which makes it a persistent volunteer in moist gardens. As an annual it dies after seeding and returns only from seed. The peppery young leaves are used in small amounts as a culinary flavoring, including as the Japanese herb tade.
Native Range
Persicaria hydropiper is native to temperate Europe, Asia, and North Africa, where it grows along ditches, ponds, streams, and damp open ground. It is widely naturalized beyond this range, including across much of North America.Suggested Uses
Grown at pond and stream margins, in bog gardens, and in damp wildlife plantings where its seeds feed waterfowl and small birds. The peppery leaves are used sparingly as a culinary herb. Its free self-seeding limits its use in tidy formal beds.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 2'6"
Width/Spread6" - 1'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Greenish-white flushed pinkFoliage Description
Mid-green, sometimes dark-blotched, reddening in autumnGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Persicaria hydropiper grows in full sun to partial shade on consistently wet, fertile soil, including ditches, pond edges, and damp meadows. It tolerates standing water and seasonal flooding but fails on dry ground. A slightly acidic to neutral loam, silt, or clay suits it. As an annual it is grown from seed sown on moist ground in spring, and it self-sows readily once established. No feeding is needed on naturally fertile wet soils. Spent plants die back after setting seed in autumn.Pruning
No pruning is needed for this annual. Self-sown seedlings can be thinned or removed where the plant spreads beyond its intended area.✓ Toxicity
Non-toxicPlanting Guide
Planting Methods & Timing
Planting Method
direct sow
Plant Spacing
10 inches
