Swamp candle Plant Care
Lysimachia sedoides Lehm.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant is recognizable by its bright yellow, star-shaped flowers that contrast beautifully against its dark green foliage. Originating from Europe, Lysimachia sedoides is prized by plant collectors for its ability to thrive in wet soil conditions, making it a versatile addition to water gardens or boggy areas.
Every 3–7 days
Partial to full shade
60–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Swamp candle?
Water Swamp candle every 3–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial to full shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
Where Is the Swamp candle Native To?
What Is the Swamp candle?
Swamp candle (Lysimachia sedoides) belongs to the Primulaceae family within the Lysimachia genus. Swamp candle is native to Australia, New Zealand and near-by Pacific islands, and South America. Swamp candle is also known as Loosestrife.
Swamp candle displays a spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Swamp candle produces small, yellow, star-shaped flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Swamp candle?
Lysimachia sedoides requires watering every 3–7 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 3–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Swamp candle Need?
Swamp candle thrives in partial to full shade. Avoid placing Swamp candle in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial to full shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Swamp candle Prefer?
Lysimachia sedoides grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Swamp candle prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Swamp candle?
Moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Swamp candle to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Swamp candle?
Feed Swamp candle every month 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 month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Swamp candle?
Divide and repot every 2-3 years in 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 Swamp candle?
Swamp candle can be propagated through division, stem cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to fringed loosestrife plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Swamp candle Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Swamp candle, 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 Swamp candle?
Swamp candle is susceptible to aphids, 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.
Keep exploring plants
Swamp candle 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 Lysimachia genus — compare its care with other Lysimachia species on PlantoScan.
Lysimachia is part of the Primulaceae plant family — browse all Primulaceae genera and species.
Swamp candle copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
More Lysimachia Species
Other Lysimachia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Lysimachia sedoides Lehm., family Primulaceae (first published in Index Seminum (HBG, Hamburgensis) 1855: 7 (1856)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Swamp candle, 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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