What growing conditions does Persicaria amphibia need?

This forb grows in shallow water, mud, or consistently saturated soil and prefers part shade to full sun. It is often found along pond margins, ditches, and slow streams rather than in dry garden beds.

When does Persicaria amphibia bloom?

It produces its pink flower spikes from June through September, with blooms held above the water or foliage on upright stalks.

What pollinators visit Persicaria amphibia flowers?

Bees, flies, and beetles visit the flower spikes for nectar and pollen during the summer bloom period.

Does Persicaria amphibia keep its leaves year round?

No, it is a deciduous herbaceous perennial that dies back after the growing season and regrows from rootstock the following year.

Is Amphibious Bistort HOA-friendly?

Amphibious Bistort takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Amphibious Bistort

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Persicaria amphibia

Last reviewed: August 2026

Persicaria amphibia, water smartweed, sends up dense pink flower spikes over ponds, ditches and slow-moving water from June through September. It grows rooted in mud or shallow water and spreads along wetland edges.

Toxicity unknown

Amphibious Bistort (Persicaria amphibia) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part shade

Water

high

Size

8"–40" H × 12"–48" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, AZ, CA and 44 more states

Pollinators

bees, flies, beetles

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Chihuahuan Deserts High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Central Great Plains Great Plains Cross Timbers East Central Texas Plains Ozark Highlands Central Irregular Plains Northwestern Glaciated Plains Northwestern Great Plains Northern Glaciated Plains Western Corn Belt Plains Northern Forests Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Driftless Area Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains Central Corn Belt Plains Eastern Corn Belt Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Huron/Erie Lake Plains Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Allegheny Plateau Erie Drift Plain Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Ridge and Valley Central Appalachians Western Allegheny Plateau Interior River Valleys and Hills Mississippi Alluvial Plain Madrean Archipelago Acadian Plains and Hills Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Amphibious bistort is a native perennial that thrives in wet soils and can adapt to both aquatic and terrestrial conditions. It produces attractive pink flower spikes from June through September and spreads readily through underground rhizomes. This plant works well in rain gardens, pond edges, and consistently moist areas where other plants struggle.

Growing Amphibious Bistort

Grow Amphibious Bistort in part shade and high water. Mature plants reach 8 to 40 inches tall and spread 12 to 48 inches wide. Expect high maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Amphibious Bistort takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Aggressive spreading habit can appear uncontrolled
Requires consistently wet conditions that may look messy
Dies back completely in winter leaving bare patches

Wildlife value

The long-blooming pink flower spikes attract bees, flies, and beetles throughout the summer months. Seeds provide food for waterfowl and other birds in wetland settings.

Common questions

What growing conditions does Persicaria amphibia need?: This forb grows in shallow water, mud, or consistently saturated soil and prefers part shade to full sun. It is often found along pond margins, ditches, and slow streams rather than in dry garden beds.
When does Persicaria amphibia bloom?: It produces its pink flower spikes from June through September, with blooms held above the water or foliage on upright stalks.
What pollinators visit Persicaria amphibia flowers?: Bees, flies, and beetles visit the flower spikes for nectar and pollen during the summer bloom period.
Does Persicaria amphibia keep its leaves year round?: No, it is a deciduous herbaceous perennial that dies back after the growing season and regrows from rootstock the following year.
Is Amphibious Bistort HOA-friendly?: Amphibious Bistort takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

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