Species Douglas' Water Hemlock
white flowers with green foliage and red-purple stems

Douglas' Water Hemlock

Cicuta douglasii (de

Also Known As - Western Water Hemlock
Douglas' Water Hemlock (Cicuta douglasii) is a toxic annual or biennial plant in the Apiaceae family. Native to western North America, it is also found in wet lowlands such as seeps, meadows, or riparian areas. It grows quickly, with hollow, ridged stems that can reach heights of nearly 10 feet. Its small white flowers are both male and female and bloom in flat umbels in late summer. Its bulbous base contains a highly toxic volatile oil and should not be eaten or touched. Its seeds can survive in the soil for many years and must be eliminated to eliminate the infestation. Douglas' Water Hemlock must be systematically managed, as it can be a threat to both human health and wildlife.

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Poisonous To Humans:

Yes

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Extreme

watering

Water Douglas' Water Hemlock often enough to keep the soil moist. This is especially important during the summer when the plant is actively growing. During these hot months, water the Douglas Water Hemlock 1-2 times a week. In cooler months, such as spring and autumn, water the plant less often. Aim to water the soil every 10-14 days. Make sure to check the soil to ensure it isn't overly moist and watch out for signs of overwatering such as yellowing leaves. In winter, Douglas' Water Hemlock should only be watered once a month.

sunlight

Douglas' Water Hemlock is a flowering plant that grows best in full sun and in moist soil. This plant is native to western North America, where it can be found in close proximity to bodies of water in fields, meadows, rivers, and marshes. It prefers full sun from late morning to late afternoon but can tolerate some shade and still grow. In general, when growing Douglas' Water Hemlock, ensure that it gets about 6-8 hours of direct sunlight a day to ensure healthy growth and flowering. This can vary depending on the season, with more sun hours required in the summer months and fewer hours in the winter.

pruning

For most healthy Douglas' Water Hemlock (Cicuta douglasii (de)) plants, pruning should be done every 1-2 years. Pruning should be done in early summer or early autumn, when the plant is actively growing. When pruning, focus on removing any dead or damaged branches, as well as any overly long or leggy growth. This will help keep the plant shaped and tidy, and also open up areas where new healthy growth can occur. Finally, shorten the stems that remain after pruning to help maintain a neat and even shape.