What soil does Purple loosestrife grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, calcareous.

Is Purple loosestrife hardy?

Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

When does Purple loosestrife flower?

Flowering: June–September, purple, pink.

How much water does Purple loosestrife need?

Water need: high. Drought tolerance: low.

How much does Purple loosestrife cost?

It sells for roughly PLN 17 to PLN 19 in local shops, depending on size.

Purple loosestrife

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 PLN 17.

Illustration of Purple loosestrife — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

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.

Watch out for

In wet soil it sheds masses of seed and can multiply strongly, crowding out weaker neighbours around a garden pond. Slugs and snails may chew the young shoots.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: High
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 1.2 m × 90 cm
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D June–September, purple, pink

All details

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 PLN 17

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

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.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. PLN 17 – PLN 19

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 17, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Perennials for part shade Perennials for full sun Perennials that flower all summer Perennials for clay soil Perennials for pollinators

Guide on the topic

A perennial border that flowers all summer: plants, layout, numbers A perennial border flowers from spring to autumn when its backbone is long-flowering perennials that bloom from June to September (catmint, woodland sage, coneflower, yarrow, Russian sage, gaura), with bulbs around them for spring and Japanese anemone, sedum and asters for autumn. Plant in groups of 3-7, tall at the back, low at the front; on average you need 5-7 plants per square metre. The calendars show the hardy perennials for a sunny spot that shops in your country sell most widely, with the price per plant.

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