Hartwort Plant Care
Tordylium maximum L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Tordylium maximum, known as hartwort, is an annual or biennial flowering plant in the carrot family (Apiaceae).
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Hartwort?
Water Hartwort every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Hartwort?
Hartwort (Tordylium maximum) belongs to the Apiaceae family within the Tordylium genus. Hartwort is also known as Great Hartwort.
Hartwort displays an upright, branching herbaceous plant growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Hartwort produces small clusters of white or pink flowers in umbels.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Hartwort?
Tordylium maximum requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Hartwort Need?
Hartwort thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Hartwort Prefer?
Tordylium maximum grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Hartwort prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Hartwort?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Hartwort to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Hartwort?
Feed Hartwort 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 Hartwort?
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 Hartwort?
Hartwort can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball. Similar propagation techniques also apply to apulian hartwort plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Hartwort Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Hartwort, 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 Hartwort?
Hartwort is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. 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 Hartwort Need?
Hartwort grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Hartwort as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Hartwort 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 Tordylium genus — compare its care with other Tordylium species on PlantoScan.
Tordylium is part of the Apiaceae plant family — browse all Apiaceae genera and species.
Hartwort 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: Tordylium maximum L., family Apiaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 240 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Hartwort, 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.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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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