PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Partial to full sun; tolerates light shade in hot, arid regions to prevent leaf scorch
Watering
Maintain consistently moist soil; well-suited to boggy or waterlogged garden areas
Temperature
Hardy to -20°C; withstands cool temperate summers and light to moderate frost
Characteristics
- Leaf: Opposite, lanceolate, dark green foliage with slightly hairy margins
- Flower: Dense terminal spikes of star-shaped yellow 5-petaled blooms
- Stem: Erect, angular, green to reddish-brown stems branching near the top
Care Guide
Watering
Keep soil evenly moist to support active growth and flowering
Fertilization
Diluted balanced feed once every 4 weeks. Avoid over-fertilization to prevent excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowering
Composted banana peel tea：Steep fully composted banana peels in water for 24 hours; dilute 1:20 for root drenching to support bloom production; avoid raw peels to prevent odor and pest issuesPruning
- Deadhead spent flower spikes to encourage extended blooming through late autumn
- Cut back all stems to ground level in late autumn after foliage has died back
- Thin overcrowded clumps every 2–3 years in early spring to improve airflow and reduce spread
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA confirmed non-toxic to cats
Humans: No known toxic effects for humans
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: N/A
Usage: Ornamental wetland plant; attracts pollinators including bees and butterflies
