giant hogweed

Watering giant hogweed once or twice a week is ideal. Depending on the season and weather, you’ll need to adjust your watering schedule accordingly. During hot, dry summers, you may need to water your giant hogweed every 2 to 3 days, while more moderate temperatures and humidity levels may only require 1 to 2 waterings per week. When watering, be sure to soak the soil and provide a deep watering that extends several inches below the surface. Aim to provide about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week to ensure good growth and flowering.

Giant hogweed is an invasive species of plant, and it requires plenty of sunshine in order to thrive. The plant need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, and ideally more. The best time to give it this sunlight is during the morning hours, between 8 am and 10 am, when the sun is at its brightest and most direct. Even if the sky is partly sunny during this time, giant hogweed will still benefit from a few hours of direct sunlight. Morning sunlight also helps the plant produce sugars, which it needs for energy and growth. After 10 am, the sunlight should be filtered or diffused to avoid burning or bleaching the leaves of the plant.

Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) should be pruned when the plant has grown to around 4-5 feet tall. Pruning should occur in late winter or early spring, before the plant has begun to send up its flowers. Prune the plant back by a third or half its height to maintain its size, shape, and structure. It’s very important to wear protective clothing while pruning as contact with the leaves and sap of giant hogweed can cause skin irritation and burns.