Mermaid Weed Plant Care
Proserpinaca palustris L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Proserpinaca palustris, the marsh mermaidweed or common mermaid-weed, is a species of flowering plant in the watermilfoil family (Haloragaceae). It is found in North America, the Caribbean, and Central America.
Full sun to part shade
At a glance
How do you care for Mermaid Weed?
Mermaid Weed grows best in full sun to part shade.
Where Is the Mermaid Weed Native To?
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Aruba
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada
- Cayman Islands
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- Curaçao
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- El Salvador
- Grenada
- Guadeloupe
- Guatemala
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Jamaica
- Martinique
- Mexico
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Puerto Rico
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- United States
- Virgin Islands, British
- Virgin Islands, U.S.
What Is the Mermaid Weed?
Mermaid Weed (Proserpinaca palustris) belongs to the Haloragaceae family within the Proserpinaca genus. Mermaid Weed is native to North America, the Caribbean, and Central America. Mermaid Weed is also known as Water Parsley.
Mermaid Weed displays a spreading aquatic plant growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Mermaid Weed produces small inconspicuous flowers.
What Light Does the Mermaid Weed Need?
Mermaid Weed thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Mermaid Weed?
Rich, loamy soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Mermaid Weed to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Mermaid Weed?
Can be repotted annually 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 Mermaid Weed?
Mermaid Weed can be propagated through seeds, division.
Is the Mermaid Weed Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Mermaid Weed, 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 Mermaid Weed?
Mermaid Weed 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
Mermaid Weed 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 Proserpinaca genus — compare its care with other Proserpinaca species on PlantoScan.
Proserpinaca is part of the Haloragaceae plant family — browse all Haloragaceae genera and species.
Mermaid Weed thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Proserpinaca palustris L., family Haloragaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 88 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Mermaid Weed, 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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