Lythrum salicaria
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is a perennial. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: low. Sold in local shops from about €4.20.
A native perennial of watersides and wet meadows: from midsummer into autumn its stiff, upright stems carry long, vivid purple-magenta flower spikes that bees and butterflies love. Plant it in sun or light shade in ground that stays damp, by a pond, in a rain garden or even in shallow water; in a dry bed it struggles. It sets a huge amount of seed, so cut off the spent spikes after flowering unless you want seedlings everywhere.
| Group | Perennial |
| Light | Full sun, Part shade |
| Size after 10 years | 1.2 m × 90 cm |
| Ultimate size | 0.6–1.8 m × 0.6–1.2 m |
| Hardiness | down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7) |
| Soil | Average garden soil, Clay, Calcareous |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Flowering | June–September, purple, pink |
| Water need | High |
| Drought tolerance | Low |
| Maintenance | Medium |
| Root aggressiveness | Low |
| Suckering | no data |
| Spreading | High |
| Distance from buildings | no data |
| Distance from paving | no data |
| Litter | not typical |
| Planting distance | 50 cm |
| For dogs | no data |
| For cats | no data |
| For children | no data |
| Typical price | from about €4.20 |
Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.
The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.
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Size
|
Typical price
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|---|---|
| size not stated | approx. €4.20 – €9.10 |
Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made
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