Marsh eryngo is an herbaceous perennial wildflower that grows naturally in bogs, marshes, ditches, swamps and wet areas, especially where limestone can be found near the surface. It can be found growing in coastal locations from New Jersey, south to Florida and west to Mississippi. The species epethet is Latin for aquatic and refers to the plant’s preferred habitat. Marsh eryngo can grow in loamy soil in garden areas where water is adequately applied. It prefers wet soil but will tolerate drier soils and, once established, is quite drought tolerant. It grows in full sun to part shade with a more sprawling habit in fertile soil or in too much shade. Taller plants may need support. It naturalizes easily through seed. This plant does not tolerate root disturbance. The interesting foliage and flowers are great in cut and dried arrangements and can make this a specimen plant in your garden. Or plant in groups in low spots, near water gardens, rain gardens, ponds, or in borders. It is an excellent choice for pollinator and native gardens. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious issues. Overly fertile soils can lead to taller plants that can sprawl.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Frequent Standing Water | Occasionally Dry | Occasionally Wet
Available space
12 inches-3 feet; 3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Blue; Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Linear; Oblong
Leaf margin
Entire; Serrate
Leaf feel
Prickly
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Its basal leaves are linear to oblong-lanceolate with entire to slightly toothed margins. Its upper leaves can be toothed to laciniate. Basal leaves can reach lengths of up to 3'.
Flower color
Blue; Purple/Lavender; White
Flower value
Good Cut; Good Dried; Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Dome
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Tiny white 5 parted florets (sometimes with a blue or purplish tinge) bloom in summer in tight, rounded, flower heads. The bloom near the top of the erect stems.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Stem detail
Stiff, upright, ribbed, and branched stems.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Eastern North America
Distribution
AL, DC DE, FL, GA, MD, MS, NC, NJ, NY, PA, SC, VA
Wildlife value
Native bees as well as other pollinators are attracted to the flowers.