Slender yellow loosestrife (Lysimachia tenella)

Photo: Jerry LanfearCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped

Slender yellow loosestrife Plant Care

Lysimachia tenella L.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

With its delicate, lance-shaped leaves and bright yellow flowers, this plant hails from moist meadows and stream banks in North America. Plant collectors are drawn to Lysimachia tenella for its charming appearance and ability to attract pollinators to their gardens.

🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 3–7 days

Light

Partial to full shade

Temp

60–80°F

Humidity

50–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Slender yellow loosestrife?

Water Slender yellow loosestrife 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 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.

Where Is the Slender yellow loosestrife Native To?

Native range74 countries

What Is the Slender yellow loosestrife?

Slender yellow loosestrife (Lysimachia tenella) belongs to the Primulaceae family within the Lysimachia genus. Slender yellow loosestrife is native to a variety of damp habitats from calcareous dune slacks to boggy and peaty heaths in western and southern Europe and Northwest Africa. Slender yellow loosestrife is also known as Coastal loosestrife.

Slender yellow loosestrife displays a spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Slender yellow loosestrife produces small, yellow, star-shaped flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Slender yellow loosestrife?

Lysimachia tenella 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 Slender yellow loosestrife Need?

Slender yellow loosestrife thrives in partial to full shade. Avoid placing Slender yellow loosestrife 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 Slender yellow loosestrife Prefer?

Lysimachia tenella grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Slender yellow loosestrife prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Temperature

60–80°F

Humidity

50–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Slender yellow loosestrife?

Moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Slender yellow loosestrife to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Slender yellow loosestrife?

Feed Slender yellow loosestrife 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 Slender yellow loosestrife?

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 Slender yellow loosestrife?

Slender yellow loosestrife 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 Slender yellow loosestrife Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Slender yellow loosestrife, 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 Slender yellow loosestrife?

Slender yellow loosestrife 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.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Slender yellow loosestrife Need?

Slender yellow loosestrife grows outdoors in USDA Zone 7a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 7a. Slender yellow loosestrife is native to a variety of damp habitats from calcareous dune slacks to boggy and peaty heaths in western and southern Europe and Northwest Africa.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 7a – 9b

Keep exploring plants

Slender yellow loosestrife 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.

Slender yellow loosestrife 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 tenella L., family Primulaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 148 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Slender yellow loosestrife, 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.
  • Photo: Jerry Lanfear, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 7a – 9b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
  • 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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