Marsh Cinquefoil Plant Care
Comarum palustre L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Comarum palustre, known by the common name marsh cinquefoil, also purple marshlocks and swamp cinquefoil, is a waterside rhizomatous subshrub. It has a circumboreal distribution, occurring throughout cool temperate Asia, Europe, and North America, particularly in northern regions.
Partial shade to full sun
At a glance
How do you care for Marsh Cinquefoil?
Plant Marsh Cinquefoil in partial shade to full sun.
What Is the Marsh Cinquefoil?
Marsh Cinquefoil (Comarum palustre) belongs to the Rosaceae family within the Comarum genus. Marsh Cinquefoil is also known as Purple Marshlocks.
Marsh Cinquefoil displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Marsh Cinquefoil produces small, clustered pink to red flowers.
What Light Does the Marsh Cinquefoil Need?
Marsh Cinquefoil thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Marsh Cinquefoil?
Moist, well-draining acidic soil rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Marsh Cinquefoil to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
Where Should You Plant a Marsh Cinquefoil?
Choose a spot with partial shade to full sun and moist, well-draining acidic soil rich in organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Do You Prune a Marsh Cinquefoil?
Prune Marsh Cinquefoil while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.
If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.
How Do You Care for a Marsh Cinquefoil in Winter?
Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.
Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.
How Do You Propagate a Marsh Cinquefoil?
Marsh Cinquefoil can be propagated through division, seeds.
Is the Marsh Cinquefoil Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Marsh Cinquefoil, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
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 Marsh Cinquefoil?
Marsh Cinquefoil is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, leafhoppers. 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.
Keep exploring plants
Marsh Cinquefoil 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 Comarum genus — compare its care with other Comarum species on PlantoScan.
Comarum is part of the Rosaceae plant family — browse all Rosaceae genera and species.
Marsh Cinquefoil 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: Comarum palustre L., family Rosaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 502 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Marsh Cinquefoil, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Marsh Cinquefoil Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species