Species Virginia waterleaf
Virginia waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum) plant with green leaves, clusters of small, bell-shaped white flowers, and green hairy stems

Virginia waterleaf

Hydrophyllum virginianum

Virginia waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum) is a perennial plant native to Eastern North America. It has long, oval-shaped leaves with scalloped edges and can reach up to two feet in height when in bloom. The five-petaled white or purple flowers form in a loose cluster at the top of a long stem. The plant grows in open woodlands and along rocky streams. It's an excellent choice for naturalizing and erosion control. In addition, Virginia waterleaf has a long history of medicinal use. Its leaves have been used for treatment of digestive disorders, respiratory problems and skin irritations.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 8

Flowers:

White to lilac Flowers

Sun:

Partial sun

Soil:

Loamy

Fruits:

green,white Fruits Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Virginia waterleaf should be watered once per week in order to ensure adequate moisture levels. It prefers moist soil, so when watering, water deeply and thoroughly until moisture is seen draining from the bottom of the pot. During hot summer months, the soil should be monitored closely and extra water may be added if necessary. During the winter months, watering should be decreased to once every 2 to 3 weeks, allowing the soil to dry out somewhat between waterings.

sunlight

The optimal amount of sunlight for the Virginia waterleaf plant species is filtered, full-sunlight 4-6 hours a day. This duration can vary according to the month, as the ideal amount of sunlight decreases slightly during the summer months, and increases during the late winter and early spring when days are longer. It’s best to place it in a sheltered spot and away from the wind to allow it to receive a steady amount of filtered sun for the necessary amount of time. Virginia waterleaf plants prefer slightly moist soil, and this should be taken into consideration for those receiving full-sunlight, as watering requirements may be increased during the hottest periods.

pruning

Virginia waterleaf should be pruned lightly in late winter or early spring. To do this, remove a few of the oldest, woodiest stalks at the base. This will stimulate more growth and flowering. If dead or broken branches need to be removed, do so year round. Pruning of the Virginia waterleaf should generally be done lightly as it generally responds well to pruning of less than 1-third of the plant.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Hydrophyllum virginianum typically starts flowering in April.

Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Hydrophyllum virginianum is in June and July.

Hardiness Map