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False Water-pepper

Persicaria hydropiperoides

Last reviewed: June 2026

False Water-pepper (Persicaria hydropiperoides)
Photo: Gordon Leppig & Andrea J. Pickart / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Light

part sun

Water

high

Size

12"–36" H × 6"–18" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, AZ, CA and 38 more states

Pollinators

bees, flies

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast RangeSierra NevadaCentral California ValleyCentral California Foothills and Coastal MountainsSouthern California/Northern Baja CoastChihuahuan DesertsCentral Oklahoma/Texas PlainsEdwards PlateauSouthern Texas PlainsTexas Blackland PrairiesEast Central Texas PlainsWestern Gulf Coastal PlainSouth Central PlainsSonoran Basin and Range

False water-pepper is a native perennial that thrives in moist soils and partial sun conditions. It produces delicate spikes of small white or pinkish flowers from summer through early fall. This plant naturally grows in wetland areas and requires consistent moisture to perform well.

In an HOA neighborhood

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

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Has a weedy, unstructured appearance
  • Requires very wet conditions that may look inappropriate in formal landscapes
  • Common name includes 'water-pepper' which sounds like a weed

Wildlife value

The summer flowers attract bees and flies for pollination. Seeds provide food for waterfowl and other birds in late season.

Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Does False Water-pepper fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.

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