Persian Barrenwort Plant Care
Epimedium pinnatum Fisch.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Epimedium pinnatum is a species of flowering plant in the barberry family Berberidaceae, native to northern Iran. It is a slowly-spreading evergreen perennial growing to 30 cm (12 in) tall and broad, with oval hairy leaves and bright yellow spurred flowers in late spring and early summer.
Every 7–10 days
Partial to full shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Persian Barrenwort?
Water Persian Barrenwort every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial to full shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Persian Barrenwort Native To?
What Is the Persian Barrenwort?
Persian Barrenwort (Epimedium pinnatum) belongs to the Berberidaceae family within the Epimedium genus. Persian Barrenwort is native to northern Iran. Persian Barrenwort is also known as Yellow Barrenwort.
Persian Barrenwort displays a low clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Persian Barrenwort produces delicate, small flowers in shades of yellow, orange, pink, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Persian Barrenwort?
Epimedium pinnatum requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Persian Barrenwort Need?
Persian Barrenwort thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Persian Barrenwort in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial to full shade
100–500 lux
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Persian Barrenwort Prefer?
Epimedium pinnatum grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Persian Barrenwort prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Persian Barrenwort?
Rich, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Persian Barrenwort to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Persian Barrenwort?
Feed Persian Barrenwort 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 Persian Barrenwort?
Repot every 2-3 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 Persian Barrenwort?
Persian Barrenwort can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to barrenwort plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Persian Barrenwort Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Persian Barrenwort, 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 Persian Barrenwort?
Persian Barrenwort is susceptible to slugs, snails. 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 Persian Barrenwort Need?
Persian Barrenwort grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Persian Barrenwort is native to northern Iran. In cooler regions, grow Persian Barrenwort as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Persian Barrenwort 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 Epimedium genus — compare its care with other Epimedium species on PlantoScan.
Epimedium is part of the Berberidaceae plant family — browse all Berberidaceae genera and species.
Persian Barrenwort copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
More Epimedium Species
Other Epimedium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Epimedium pinnatum Fisch., family Berberidaceae (first published in Syst. Nat. 2: 29 (1821)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Persian Barrenwort, 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.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, 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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