Marsh Cudweed (Gnaphalium uliginosum) Flower, Leaf, Care, Uses

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Marsh Cudweed

Gnaphalium uliginosum

Also known as: Low Cudweed, Mud Cudweed, Cudweed

Marsh Cudweed (Gnaphalium uliginosum) is a diminutive annual wildflower. It was originally native to Europe but found its way to North America, becoming invasive and considered a noxious weed. It can overtake native foliage in small marshes, bogs, and wetlands. Marsh Cudweed has been added to the diets of some dairy cows to improve their digestion.

Hardiness Zones

More Info

Plant Type

Herb

Flower Color

White

Yellow

Bloom Time

Summer

Scientific Classification

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Asters bellflowers fanflowers and allies

Family

Daisy

Genus

Cudweeds

Species

Marsh Cudweed

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Distribution Map

Habitat

Damp places in sandy fields, heaths, waysides

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Questions About Marsh Cudweed

Sunlight

Temperature

How much sunlight should Marsh Cudweed get per day to grow healthily?

You must expose the plants to at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily. They prefer more exposure to the morning light, especially in the summer. The Marsh Cudweed needs full sun and more sunlight that it can get. The more light these species get, the more they can manufacture food, produce beautiful blooms, and survive.

What type of sunlight does Marsh Cudweed need?

The Marsh Cudweed grows best under full sunlight. It's best not to crowd them together so they can get exposure to the sun evenly. The leaves shouldn't be starved with sunlight. If planted in pots, try to expose the herbaceous flowers in windows with direct sun and ensure they receive full sunlight regardless of the months.

They don't tend to do well in partial or filtered light as this will not produce strong stems and healthy flowers. It's best if the Marsh Cudweed is always exposed to the sun.

Can sunlight hurt plants? How to protect Marsh Cudweed from sun and heat damage?

When the temperature rises above 90℉(32℃), the Marsh Cudweed can get damaged by extreme temperatures, especially if they are exposed to many hours of sun. It's always ideal for providing some shade from the light in the afternoon in the summer. It's always important to keep in mind that the sunlight in the summer is stronger than the one in the winter. Sunlight exposure is also 50% longer in the summer than in the winter.

If the Marsh Cudweed is too stressed with sunlight, you might want to keep them fully hydrated. Water them when the top of the soil is about 2 inches dry, and move the plants indoors if it's too hot outside. This is the case if they are planted in containers.

It can be normal for the plant leaves to wilt during the day. Generally, they can recover at night. However, when you notice that the Marsh Cudweed is still drooping, this means that the plant is losing water fast, and you need to water them.

Should I protect Marsh Cudweed from sun exposure?

The Marsh Cudweed does not need any protection from the sun. In fact, they love the sun, and some species are heliotropic. Plant them in south-facing gardens whenever possible so they can be exposed from morning to afternoon. While the sun can benefit them, some may experience a sunburn. You might offer protection from the afternoon and midday sun through a shade of a tree or a wall.

Growing the Marsh Cudweed in shady areas is impossible because the larger flowers would require a lot of energy to grow and produce. Always provide the lighting conditions and set them in an area with full sun for best results.

What will happen if Marsh Cudweed gets inadequate sunlight?

When the Marsh Cudweed does not get adequate sunlight, or they are not placed in full sun locations, it's worth noting that the photosynthetic process will slow down. A lack of sunlight will cause the stems to become more leggy since they become thin and long since they tend to seek too much sunlight. They will not bloom and produce seeds in the shade.

Inadequate sunlight will also mean that the older leaves can die, the color of the new ones is lighter than the old foliage, and the new growth is smaller than the last ones.

The Marsh Cudweed indeed loves the sun so much. However, they can wilt when exposed to excessive heat and ultraviolet light during the extreme summer months, so be careful. You might want to cover them with a net that has a green shade, especially in the summer, to prevent the leaves and the flowers from scorching. When they are indoors, reduce the heat with the help of a fan.

Does Marsh Cudweed need special care about sunlight during its different growth stages?

When the Marsh Cudweed is growing, they need more light than their mature counterparts. The younger ones should receive adequate light, but they might not be prepared for sudden full sunlight, especially if they are grown in a nursery. They can be more sensitive to the summer sun, so the lighting should be gradual and slow.

How much light does Marsh Cudweed need for photosynthesis?

During summer or late spring, the Marsh Cudweed needs 6 to 8 hours of direct light every single day. This is whether they are planted outdoors. If the Marsh Cudweed is planted in pots or you're growing them in the winter, they need direct fluorescent lights that help them grow better. Make sure to place them in an indoor area where they are facing south or east so they can have enough sunlight for photosynthesis.

Are there any cautions or tips for sunlight and Marsh Cudweed?

When transplanting the plants, they should not be exposed to sudden sunlight. Give the Marsh Cudweed to grow and mature before transplanting outside. Some species of herbaceous plants can grow taller and might cast a shade on other young plants. Allow between 80 to 100 days of growing season before planting another batch to ensure that every plant receives more than enough sunlight for at least 6 hours a day.

Make sure that the Marsh Cudweed receives the best light possible, especially if it's planted in a nursery. These are sun-loving plants, but too much sunlight with a very hot temperature is also detrimental to their growth. Indoor lights should be replaced with natural sunlight as much as possible since these species crave this every day.

What is the optimal temperature for Marsh Cudweed?

Marsh Cudweed prefers cooler weather, and has a specific temperature range you can keep it within to maximize growth. For Marsh Cudweed to be as healthy as it possible can, you could keep them between the temperatures 65~75℉(18~25℃). Marsh Cudweed can handle higher and lower heat levels, but whenever possible, try to keep the area you grow them in within several degrees of 65~75℉(18~25℃).

If you can’t keep Marsh Cudweed precisely within that range, it doesn’t mean they will stop growing. Marsh Cudweed can handle a higher and lower range before they begin to suffer damage or reduced growth. On the higher end, that temperature would that would fall between 75~85℉(25~30℃). On the lower end, Marsh Cudweed can handle temperatures as low as 5℉(-15℃). The higher temperature range is the most important to observe, as Marsh Cudweed prefers cooler environments. Letting temperatures get above the upper range may cause growth to slow, and having Marsh Cudweed above 85℉(30℃) could result in the plant dying.

Does Marsh Cudweed require different temperatures for different growing phases?

Too much heat early in the growing stages of Marsh Cudweed may give it an unhealthy appearance, so it's important to keep your growing space between 65~75℉(18~25℃). You’ll want to stay in the colder part of this range as Marsh Cudweed, but make sure not to go below -5℉(-20℃). Extremely cold temperatures can hinder growth at any stage for Marsh Cudweed, though they aren’t nearly as damaging as extremely hot temperatures. If temperatures are kept high during the budding stage, Marsh Cudweed may not flower at all.

Three tips for keeping Marsh Cudweed temperature under control

Tip #1: Grow in the Coldest Room of Your Home

If you plan to grow Marsh Cudweed indoors, make sure to choose the coldest room of your home. This will usually be on the side of your house that doesn’t experience the harsh heat that the sun can produce in the middle of the day. At the same time, you’ll need to ensure the room does get a healthy amount of sunlight. While you’ll want to spare your plants from the brightest and hottest part of the day, zero sunlight can drastically reduce Marsh Cudweed ability to grow.

Tip #2: If Marsh Cudweed Doesn’t Flower Properly, It May Be Too Hot

The growing season for Marsh Cudweed, spring and early summer, can occasionally come with high temperatures. These fluctuations can negatively affect the growing stage of Marsh Cudweed, causing flowering buds to change into non-flowering buds. These buds will open partially, or in some cases not at all, causing Marsh Cudweed to lose some of its aesthetic quality. It's important to stay in the range of 65~75℉(18~25℃), for that reason, so your Marsh Cudweed can flower to its full potential.

Tip #3: Avoid Frost

While Marsh Cudweed can tolerate lower temperatures, as low as -5℉(-20℃), it will not do well if it encounters significant frost. If left out in the colder temperatures of late fall or winter, Marsh Cudweed will begin to show the signs of frost damage. To recognize the signs of frost damage, you’ll look for several key aesthetic changes. First, parts of Marsh Cudweed will begin to wilt. Then, those sections will start to become discolored, eventually turning brown or black as they die. Any parts of Marsh Cudweed that turn these colors cannot be saved, and will have to be pruned if you intend to keep the plant alive.

Does Marsh Cudweed need different temperatures for different seasons?

It's important to keep the temperature of your growing area steady regardless of season. If you live in an area with harsh winters or very hot summers, it may be best to put your plants inside. That way, you can keep them in a cool room where Marsh Cudweed would be able to grow in the best possible conditions.

If you do leave your plants outside, make sure to observe the temperature closely. If the summer’s get especially hot in your climate-zone, make sure that your plants aren’t exposed to temperatures above 85℉(30℃). This will dehydrate and damage Marsh Cudweed quickly, and before long, they will begin to die.

What is the best way to maintain the right temperature for Marsh Cudweed?

If you intend to place Marsh Cudweed outside, you’ll want to make sure that it has shade from the heat of the midday sun. While Marsh Cudweed does need plentiful sunlight to grow to its full potential, direct sunlight can cause a rise in temperature and damage certain elements of the plant. Choose an area that has shade providing structures or tall trees that can shield Marsh Cudweed from the hottest parts of the day.

If your climate isn’t appropriate for Marsh Cudweed or you don’t have the proper space in your garden, you can also plant them inside. Controlling the temperature is much easier indoors, and having proper fans, ventilation, or an A/C unit will allow you to stay within the optimum range of 65~75℉(18~25℃).

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Add to My Garden

Marsh Cudweed

Gnaphalium uliginosum

Also known as: Low Cudweed, Mud Cudweed, Cudweed

Hardiness Zones