Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock Plant Care
Cicuta bulbifera L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Cicuta bulbifera, commonly known as the bulb-bearing water-hemlock, is a plant native to North America and one of four species in the poisonous genus Cicuta. Tiny bulbils form in the leaf joints in the upper part of the plant, giving the plant its scientific and common names.
Every 5–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock?
Water Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock every 5–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock Native To?
What Is the Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock?
Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock (Cicuta bulbifera) belongs to the Apiaceae family within the Cicuta genus. Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock is native to North America and one of four species in the poisonous genus Cicuta. Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock is also known as Water Hemlock.
Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock displays a tall upright perennial growth habit, reaching up to 5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock produces small white flowers arranged in umbels.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock?
Cicuta bulbifera requires watering every 5–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 5–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock Need?
Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock Prefer?
Cicuta bulbifera grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock?
Rich, moist soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock?
Feed Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock?
Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock?
Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to douglas water hemlock plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock?
Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, leaf miners. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock Need?
Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock is native to North America and one of four species in the poisonous genus Cicuta. In cooler regions, grow Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Cicuta genus — compare its care with other Cicuta species on PlantoScan.
Cicuta is part of the Apiaceae plant family — browse all Apiaceae genera and species.
Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Cicuta bulbifera L., family Apiaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 255 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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