Chinese Bugleweed Plant Care
Lycopus lucidus Turcz. ex Benth.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Lycopus lucidus is a species of plant in the family Lamiaceae. The aerial parts and the dried rhizomes are used in traditional Chinese medicine, have a reputation for promoting blood circulation and energy (qi), and preventing water retention.
Partial shade to full shade
At a glance
How do you care for Chinese Bugleweed?
Plant Chinese Bugleweed in partial shade to full shade.
What Is the Chinese Bugleweed?
Chinese Bugleweed (Lycopus lucidus) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Lycopus genus. Chinese Bugleweed is also known as Japanese Bugleweed.
Chinese Bugleweed displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Chinese Bugleweed produces small white or pink flowers in dense clusters.
What Light Does the Chinese Bugleweed Need?
Chinese Bugleweed thrives in partial shade to full shade. Avoid placing Chinese Bugleweed in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Chinese Bugleweed?
Moist, fertile soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Chinese Bugleweed to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
Where Should You Plant a Chinese Bugleweed?
Choose a spot with partial shade to full shade and moist, fertile soil with good drainage. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Do You Prune a Chinese Bugleweed?
Prune Chinese Bugleweed 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 shrub in one year.
How Do You Care for a Chinese Bugleweed 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 shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.
How Do You Propagate a Chinese Bugleweed?
Chinese Bugleweed can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to american water horehound plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Chinese Bugleweed Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Chinese Bugleweed, 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 Chinese Bugleweed?
Chinese Bugleweed is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. 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
Chinese Bugleweed 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 Lycopus genus — compare its care with other Lycopus species on PlantoScan.
Lycopus is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.
Chinese Bugleweed copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Lycopus lucidus Turcz. ex Benth., family Lamiaceae (first published in Prodr. 12: 179 (1848)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Chinese Bugleweed, 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.
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