Hemp agrimony Eupatorium cannabinum

☠ Toxic to humans
🐾 Toxic to pets
🌸 Blooming
🍪 Not edible
‍🌱 Easy-care
hemp agrimony

ABOUT

E. cannabinum is a vigorous upright perennial with reddish stems, leaves palmately-divided into narrow leaflets, and dense terminal domed clusters of tiny light pink or purple flowers in late summer and early autumn

Plant Info
Care
Common Problems

About this plant

  • memoNames

    • Family

      Asteraceae.

    • Synonyms

      Hemp Agrimony, Holy Rope, Eupatory, St. John's Herb.

    • Common names

      Eupatorium urticifolium, Eupatorium purpureum var. cannabinum, Eupatorium purpureum subsp. cannabinum, Eupatorium tauricum, Eupatorium teucrifolium

  • infoCharacteristics

    • Life cycle

      Perennials

    • Foliage type

      Deciduous

    • Color of leaves

      Green

    • Flower color

      Pink

    • Height

      3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters)

    • Spread

      2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)

    • Plant type

      Herb

    • Hardiness zones

      5

    • Native area

      Europe

Benefits

  • money-bagGeneral Benefits

    • Attracts Pollinators: Eupatorium cannabinum serves as a nectar source for bees and butterflies, enhancing pollination in gardens.
    • Wildlife Habitat: The plant provides shelter and food for various insects and bird species.
    • Landscape Aesthetics: With its tall structure and clusters of pink or purple flowers, it adds visual interest to naturalistic and wild garden plantings.
    • Erosion Control: The plant has a fibrous root system that can stabilize soil and prevent erosion on banks and slopes.
    • Biodiversity Support: It contributes to the ecological diversity of an area by supporting a range of insect species and serving as a host plant for some types of moths and butterflies.

  • medicalMedical Properties

    • Diuretic: Eupatorium cannabinum has been traditionally used to promote urine production.
    • Anti-inflammatory: The plant may contain compounds with inflammation-reducing effects.
    • Expectorant: It has been used to assist in clearing mucus from the respiratory tract.
    • Stimulant: In herbal medicine, it may have been used to increase physiological or nervous activity.
    • Bitter tonic: The herb's bitterness is thought to stimulate the digestive system.
    • Astringent: Eupatorium cannabinum may have been applied to reduce bleeding and tighten tissues.

  • windAir-purifying Qualities

    This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.

  • leavesOther Uses

    • Eupatorium cannabinum, commonly known as Hemp Agrimony, can be used as a natural dye for textiles, providing shades of yellow and green depending on the mordant used.
    • The plant has been historically used for stuffing pillows owing to its soft and fluffy seed heads.
    • Hemp Agrimony's fibrous stems have been used in traditional crafts for making rough twines and ropes.
    • In some cultures, the dried plant is burnt as an incense or used in potpourri to create a pleasant aroma in the house.
    • The flowers of Hemp Agrimony can be used as a natural source of food coloring for cakes and pastries when seeking a yellow hue.
    • Due to its strong scent, the plant is sometimes employed as a natural insect repellent in gardens and around outdoor living areas.
    • The dense growth of Hemp Agrimony can be utilized in garden designs to create natural borders or screens for privacy.
    • Can be implemented in companion planting to attract beneficial insects such as pollinators to improve the health and productivity of surrounding plants.
    • Leaves of Hemp Agrimony, when dried, can be added to compost as a "green" layer to enhance the breakdown of organic matter and improve compost quality.
    • Hemp Agrimony is sometimes included in floral arrangements, particularly wildflower bouquets, for its aesthetic appeal.

Interesting Facts

  • bedFeng Shui

    The Hemp Agrimony is not used in Feng Shui practice.

  • aquariusZodiac Sign Compitability

    The Hemp Agrimony is not used in astrology practice.

  • spiralPlant Symbolism

    • Healing: Eupatorium cannabinum, commonly known as Hemp-agrimony, is often associated with healing due to its historical use in traditional medicine to treat various ailments.
    • Protection: In some folklore, Hemp-agrimony was thought to offer protection against negative energies or malevolent spirits.
    • Water Association: Since Hemp-agrimony is frequently found near water sources, it symbolically represents the element of water and its associated properties such as purification, motion, and emotion.

💧
Every 1-2 weeks
Water
☀️
2500 - 10000 Lux
Light
💦️
6%
Humidity
🪴
Every 2-3 years
Repotting
🌱️
Spring-summer
Propogation
✂️️
As needed
Pruning
  • water dropWater

    Hemp agrimony prefers consistently moist soil, so it should be watered regularly. In the absence of rainfall, provide about an inch of water per week. It's best to water the plant at the base to avoid wetting the foliage, which can help prevent disease. Make sure the soil is well-drained to avoid waterlogging. During dry spells, it may require additional water, possibly up to twice a week, equating to about 2 gallons per week depending on soil conditions and temperature.

  • sunLight

    Hemp agrimony thrives in full sun to partial shade. It prefers a spot that receives at least four to six hours of sunlight daily, but it can also grow well in dappled sunlight under taller trees. Avoid deep shade, as this can lead to poor growth and fewer flowers.

  • thermometerTemperature

    Hemp agrimony does best in moderate climates and can tolerate temperatures as low as 20°F. It prefers a temperature range between 60°F and 75°F but can survive up to 90°F. Protecting the plant from extreme cold by mulching can help ensure its survival during winter months.

  • scissorsPruning

    Pruning hemp agrimony is primarily done to remove spent flower heads and encourage further blooming. It can be pruned in late winter or early spring to shape the plant and remove any dead or damaged stems. Pruning should occur annually to promote healthy new growth. The best time for pruning is when new growth appears at the base of the plant.

  • broomCleaning

    As needed

  • bambooSoil

    Hemp agrimony prefers a moisture-retentive, fertile soil with good drainage. The best soil mix should include loamy soil, peat, and a portion of sand or perlite to enhance drainage. The soil pH should be neutral to slightly alkaline, ranging from 6.5 to 7.2 for optimal growth.

  • plantRepotting

    Hemp agrimony does not require frequent repotting and can be repotted every 2-3 years or when it has outgrown its current container. Always use a slightly larger pot and fresh, appropriate soil mix during repotting.

  • water dropsHumidity & Misting

    Hemp agrimony thrives in areas with average to high humidity. It prefers a high humidity level around 60-80%, which can be found naturally in its wetland and riparian habitats.

  • pinSuitable locations

    • Indoor

      Provide bright light and moist soil for indoor growth.

    • Outdoor

      Plant in moist soil, partial to full sun exposure.

    • Hardiness zone

      5-9 USDA

  • circleLife cycle

    Eupatorium cannabinum, commonly known as Hemp-agrimony, begins its life cycle as a seed that germinates in spring, typically in moist soil conditions. After germination, the plant develops a rosette of leaves at the ground level. As it matures, the plant grows upright stems and produces more leaves, eventually reaching heights of up to 1.5 meters. By mid to late summer, Hemp-agrimony produces clusters of tiny, pinkish-purple flowers that are attractive to a variety of pollinators including bees and butterflies. Following pollination, the flowers develop into small seeds that are dispersed by wind and water. The plant dies back in winter, but can re-emerge from its hardy perennial rootstock the following spring.

  • sproutPropogation

    • Propogation time

      Spring-summer

    • Eupatorium cannabinum, commonly known as hemp-agrimony, is best propagated in late spring or early summer using softwood cuttings. This popular method involves taking a cutting of about 6 inches (approximately 15 centimeters) from the tip of a healthy, non-flowering stem. The leaves at the lower part of the cutting should be removed, and the cut end may be dipped in a rooting hormone to enhance root development. The cutting should then be placed into a well-draining mix of soil and kept in a warm, humid environment until roots have developed, which typically takes a few weeks. Regular misting and keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged are crucial during this time. Once rooted, the cuttings can be potted on or planted into their final positions.