Species birthwort
green leaves with lime veins and lime-brown stems

birthwort

Aristolochia leuconeura

Birthwort (Aristolochia leuconeura) is an amazing plant species, with its wonderfully unique heart-shaped leaves and star-shaped, ivory-colored flowers. It's hardy and long-lived, thriving in most conditions from full sun to partial shade. As a native European species, it is an easy to care for, low maintenance ornamental. When grown in warmer climates, it is an exceptionally drought-tolerant plant, making it suitable for xeriscaping. Its butter-cup yellow markings also stand out against other foliage, giving any garden an unmistakable beauty and complete appeal.Birthwort is a delightful addition to any garden and will give any landscape a touch of elegance.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Division,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

9 - 11

Flowers:

Red Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Poisonous To Humans:

Yes

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Birthwort should be watered regularly, but not too frequently. During the spring and summer months water the plant evenly, ensuring that the soil remains moist, but never soggy. During the winter, when the plant is dormant, water it only occasionally. Watering should be reduced quite drastically during the winter season, but be sure that the soil does not dry out. If possible, a weekly watering should suffice for winter months, and likely even less than that.

sunlight

Birthwort plants thrive in well-drained, slightly acidic soil that is kept consistently moist. They prefer full sunlight for at least 6 hours every day—ideally from mid-morning to early afternoon. This plant species is not tolerant of shade, so it is important to place it in an area that receives full sun for most part of the day. The more light it gets, the more flowers it will produce. To ensure the plant blooms and grows, make sure it is located in an area that receives 6-8 hours of full sunlight each day.

pruning

Birthwort should only be pruned during its dormant season in late winter. Pruning should be done sparingly, removing only dead or damaged branches. Avoid cutting away more than 1-third of the stem and branches at a time. This plant has a slow growth rate, so it is best to only prune it as necessary. When using pruning shears, be sure to angle your cuts just above a leaf node or bud. This will encourage new growth and a bushier shape. Light pruning throughout the year is also beneficial and will help keep the plant in shape. With proper care and pruning, birthwort can be an impressive addition to your landscape.

Season

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

Birthwort typically starts flowering in April or May.

Hardiness Map