Water Parsley Plant Care
Oenanthe sarmentosa Presl ex DC.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Oenanthe sarmentosa is a species of flowering plant in the family Apiaceae known by the common name water parsley. It is native to western North America from Alaska to California, where it grows in wet areas, such as streambanks.
Partial shade to full sun
At a glance
How do you care for Water Parsley?
Water Parsley grows best in partial shade to full sun. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Water Parsley Native To?
What Is the Water Parsley?
Water Parsley (Oenanthe sarmentosa) belongs to the Apiaceae family within the Oenanthe genus. Water Parsley is native to western North America from Alaska to California. Water Parsley is also known as Sardinian Parsley, Water Hemlock.
Water Parsley displays a spreading groundcover growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Water Parsley produces small white flowers in umbels.
What Light Does the Water Parsley Need?
Water Parsley thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Water Parsley?
Moist, fertile soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Water Parsley to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Water Parsley?
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 Water Parsley?
Water Parsley can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to hemlock water dropwort plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Water Parsley Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Toxic to humans and pets if ingested
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 Water Parsley?
Water Parsley is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, 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
Water Parsley 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 Oenanthe genus — compare its care with other Oenanthe species on PlantoScan.
Oenanthe is part of the Apiaceae plant family — browse all Apiaceae genera and species.
Water Parsley thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Oenanthe Species
Other Oenanthe species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Oenanthe sarmentosa Presl ex DC., family Apiaceae (first published in Prodr. 4: 138 (1830)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Water Parsley is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. 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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