Life Span
Perennial
  
Perennial
  
Type
Herbs
  
Herbs
  
Origin
China, Japan, Korea
  
Southern Europe
  
Types
Not Available
  
Not available
  
Habitat
gardens, Grassland, Homesteads, Open areas
  
Dappled Shade, Mediterranean region, Shady Edge, Woodland Garden
  
USDA Hardiness Zone
5-9
  
4-9
  
AHS Heat Zone
9-4
  
12-1
  
Sunset Zone
2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
  
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
  
Habit
Clump-Forming
  
Clump-Forming
  
Plant Size
  
  
Plant Color
  
  
Flower Color
Light Yellow, Ivory
  
White, Light Pink
  
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
  
Bicolor
  
Fruit Color
Not Available
  
Brown
  
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Light Green, Light Yellow, Ivory
  
Green, Light Green
  
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Light Yellow, Ivory
  
Green, Light Green
  
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Light Yellow, Ivory
  
Green, Light Green
  
Leaf Color in Winter
Not Available
  
Light Green
  
Shape
  
  
Leaf Shape
Round
  
Ovate
  
Thorns
No
  
No
  
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall
  
Spring, Summer, Fall
  
Growing Conditions
  
  
Sunlight
Partial shade, Full Shade
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Growth Rate
Fast
  
Fast
  
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam, Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Neutral
  
Soil Drainage
Poorly Drained
  
Well drained
  
Bloom Time
Early Spring, Late Winter
  
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
  
Repeat Bloomer
No
  
No
  
Tolerances
Wet Site
  
Deer resistant, Drought
  
Where to Plant?
Ground, Pot
  
Ground, Pot
  
How to Plant?
Divison, Stem Planting
  
Cuttings, Seedlings
  
Plant Maintenance
Medium
  
Low
  
Watering Plants
  
  
Watering Requirements
Allow soil to be completely dry in between waterings, Keep ground moist, Needs 2-3 times watering per week, Over-head watering, Requires watering in the growing season
  
Medium
  
In Summer
Lots of watering
  
Lots of watering
  
In Spring
Moderate
  
Moderate
  
In Winter
Average Water
  
Average Water
  
Soil
  
  
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Neutral
  
Soil Type
Clay, Loam, Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
Soil Drainage Capacity
Poorly Drained
  
Well drained
  
Sun Exposure
Partial shade, Full Shade
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Pruning
Remove deadheads, Requires very little pruning, Shape and thin as needed
  
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead flowers, Remove dead leaves
  
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
  
Nitrogen, Potassium
  
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free, Red blotch
  
Gray leaf blight, Gray mold, Leaf spot, Powdery mildew
  
Plant Tolerance
Wet Site
  
Deer resistant, Drought
  
Flowers
Showy
  
Insignificant
  
Flower Petal Number
Not Available
  
Single
  
Fruits
  
  
Showy Fruit
No
  
No
  
Edible Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrance
  
  
Fragrant Flower
Yes
  
No
  
Fragrant Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Leaf
No
  
Yes
  
Fragrant Bark/Stem
No
  
Yes
  
Showy Foliage
Yes
  
Yes
  
Showy Bark
No
  
No
  
Foliage Texture
Bold
  
Medium
  
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
  
Matte
  
Evergreen
No
  
No
  
Invasive
Sometimes
  
Sometimes
  
Self-Sowing
No
  
Yes
  
Attracts
Not Available
  
Bees
  
Allergy
no allergic reactions
  
Avoid during Pregnancy, Skin irritation
  
Uses
  
  
Aesthetic Uses
Showy Purposes
  
Beautification, Cottage Garden
  
Beauty Benefits
Not Available
  
Good for skin, Skin Problems
  
Edible Uses
Yes
  
Insignificant
  
Environmental Uses
Air purification
  
Deer resistant, Insect Repellent
  
Plant Benefits
  
  
Medicinal Uses
No Medicinal Use
  
Antiemetic, Anxiety, Appetite enhancer, Digestion problems, Insomnia, Sedative
  
Part of Plant Used
Whole plant
  
Flowers, Leaves
  
Other Uses
Not Available
  
Can be made into a herbal tea, Medicinal oil, Used as insect repellent, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in herbal medicines
  
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Garden Design
Bog Garden, Container, Feature Plant, Water Gardens
  
Container, Edible, Herb / Vegetable
  
Botanical Name
PETASITES japonicus 'Variegatus'
  
MELISSA officinalis
  
Common Name
Giant Butterbur, Japanese Butterbur, Variegated Butterbur
  
Lemonbalm, balm, common balm, balm mint
  
In Hindi
variegated butterbur
  
नींबू बाम
  
In German
bunte Pestwurz
  
Lemonbalm
  
In French
pétasite panachée
  
mélisse
  
In Spanish
butterbur abigarrado
  
Lemonbalm
  
In Greek
διαφοροποιημένα butterbur
  
Lemonbalm
  
In Portuguese
butterbur variegada
  
Lemonbalm
  
In Polish
barwny Lepiężnik
  
Lemonbalm
  
In Latin
varius butterbur
  
CITRAGO
  
Kingdom
Plantae
  
Plantae
  
Phylum
Not Available
  
Magnoliophyta
  
Class
Not Available
  
Magnoliopsida
  
Order
Asterales
  
Lamiales
  
Family
Asteraceae
  
Lamiaceae
  
Genus
Petasites
  
Melissa
  
Clade
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
  
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
  
Tribe
Senecioneae
  
Not Available
  
Subfamily
Not Available
  
Nepetoideae