Creeping Water Pimpernel Plant Care

Creeping Water Pimpernel (Samolus repens) belongs to the Primulaceae family within the Samolus genus. Creeping Water Pimpernel is native to Australia, New Zealand and near-by Pacific islands, and South America. Creeping Water Pimpernel is also known as Trailing Brookweed.

Creeping Water Pimpernel displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Creeping Water Pimpernel produces small white flowers in dense clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 1.5 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Creeping Water Pimpernel every 3–5 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Creeping Water Pimpernel thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Samolus repens tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Creeping Water Pimpernel prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

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

Feed Creeping Water Pimpernel every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Creeping Water Pimpernel is suited to USDA Zone 8b – 11b.

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.

Creeping Water Pimpernel can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Creeping Water Pimpernel 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.

Creeping Water Pimpernel is hardy down to USDA zone 8b, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

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.

Creeping Water Pimpernel can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to samolus eremaeus plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Creeping Water Pimpernel 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.

Creeping Water Pimpernel grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8b. Creeping Water Pimpernel is native to Australia, New Zealand and near-by Pacific islands, and South America.