Photo: Yurii BasovCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Water Parsnip Plant Care
Sium latifolium L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant is easily identifiable by its large, glossy, dark green leaves that resemble celery. Originally from Europe, Sium latifolium is sought after by plant collectors for its unique appearance and ability to thrive in wetland environments.
Every 5–7 days
Full sun to part shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Water Parsnip?
Water Water Parsnip every 5–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to part shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Water Parsnip Native To?
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Kazakhstan
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
What Is the Water Parsnip?
Water Parsnip (Sium latifolium) belongs to the Apiaceae family within the Sium genus. Water Parsnip is native to much of Europe, Kazakhstan, and Siberia. Water Parsnip is also known as Broadleaf Water Parsnip.
Water Parsnip displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Water Parsnip produces small clusters of white or pink flowers in umbels.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Water Parsnip?
Sium latifolium requires watering every 5–7 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 5–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Water Parsnip Need?
Water Parsnip thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Water Parsnip Prefer?
Sium latifolium grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Water Parsnip prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Water Parsnip?
Rich, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Water Parsnip to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Water Parsnip?
Feed Water Parsnip every 6 months 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 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Water Parsnip?
Repot every 1-2 years in early 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 Parsnip?
Water Parsnip can be propagated through seeds, division.
Is the Water Parsnip Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
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 Parsnip?
Water Parsnip 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Water Parsnip Need?
Water Parsnip grows outdoors in USDA Zone 5a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 5a. Water Parsnip is native to much of Europe, Kazakhstan, and Siberia.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 5a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Water Parsnip 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 Sium genus (family Apiaceae) — search all Sium species in the plant lookup.
Water Parsnip 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: Sium latifolium L., family Apiaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 251 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Water Parsnip 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.
- Photo: Yurii Basov, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 5a – 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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