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Plant care

Persian Barrenwort (Pinnate Barrenwort) care

Epimedium pinnatum

Also called Persian Barrenwort, Pinnate Barrenwort.

RHS H6USDA 5-9Mildly toxic to petsIndoor 30–40 cm tall

Watering rhythm

Medium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)

Weekly for the first 1–2 seasons; established plants need watering only during extreme drought

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Light

Medium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)

Soil

Well-draining loam or stony soil; tolerates poor and dry soils

Humidity

40–70%

Temp

-20°C to 30°C

Pet safety

Mildly toxic to pets

Mature size

30–40 cm tall

Care at a glance

Light

The Goldilocks zone. Not the south-facing windowsill (too hot, too direct), not the back of the room (too dim, growth stalls). Partial shade to dappled shade is ideal. Tolerates relatively dense shade under deciduous or evergreen canopies. Some direct morning sun is acceptable. Protect from hot, direct afternoon sun which can cause leaf bronzing and marginal scorch. If you can't decide, a free phone lux-meter app aimed at the leaf at noon should read between 800 and 1,500 lux.

Watering

Watering persian barrenwort: weekly for the first 1–2 seasons; established plants need watering only during extreme drought. The number that matters isn't the day of the week — it's how dry the top 2-3 cm of the pot feels. A finger in the soil tells you more than a watering app. After every watering, tip the saucer. Epimedium pinnatum subsp. colchicum (the most widely grown form) is particularly noted for its drought tolerance. Once the extensive rhizome system is established it rarely requires irrigation in temperate UK and US climates.

Soil and pot

Persian Barrenwort grows best in well-draining loam or stony soil; tolerates poor and dry soils. Native to rocky, forest-edge habitats. Adaptable to most garden soils including clay and chalk provided drainage is adequate. Organic matter amendments benefit establishment. Long-term soil fertility requirements are modest. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Persian Barrenwort sits happiest at around 40–70% humidity and -20°C to 30°C (-4°F to 86°F). Tolerates ambient garden humidity without special management. Well-suited to exposed and sheltered sites alike. No supplemental humidity required; the pinnate foliage is less prone to desiccation than soft-leaved woodland plants. If you keep the room above year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed persian barrenwort sparingly. Top-dress with well-rotted compost or leaf mould in early spring. A light balanced granular fertiliser can be applied at planting and in subsequent early springs in poor soils. Minimal feeding is needed once established. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on persian barrenwort in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

  • Winter-damaged foliage — Although semi-evergreen, the large leaves may be damaged by hard frosts in exposed positions. Plants readily re-foliate from rhizomes. Cut back any tatty winter foliage to ground level in late February before new growth emerges.
  • Slow initial establishment — Persian Barrenwort invests heavily in rhizome development in its first season at the expense of above-ground growth. Consistent watering and a mulch layer in the first year significantly improves establishment rate.
  • Aphid clusters on new spring growth — Soft new spring shoots can attract aphids. Knock off with a strong jet of water or apply an insecticidal soap spray. Natural predators usually control populations without intervention by early summer.

Propagation

Divide established clumps in early spring or immediately after flowering. Lift sections of rhizome with a sharp spade, splitting into pieces each bearing at least two growth buds. Replant at the same depth, 30–40 cm apart, and water in thoroughly. Division every 4–5 years maintains vigour. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Persian Barrenwort is mildly toxic to pets. Epimedium pinnatum is not individually listed by ASPCA. As with other Epimedium species, it contains icariin and related flavonoid compounds. Ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in pets or people. Not associated with severe or life-threatening toxicity, but consumption should be avoided. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Persian Barrenwort care — frequently asked questions

What is the common name for Epimedium pinnatum?

Epimedium pinnatum is most commonly called Persian Barrenwort, but it is also known as Persian Barrenwort, Pinnate Barrenwort. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Persian Barrenwort apply identically to anything sold as Pinnate Barrenwort.

How much light does persian barrenwort need?

Persian Barrenwort grows best in medium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window). Partial shade to dappled shade is ideal. Tolerates relatively dense shade under deciduous or evergreen canopies. Some direct morning sun is acceptable. Protect from hot, direct afternoon sun which can cause leaf bronzing and marginal scorch.

How often should I water persian barrenwort?

Water persian barrenwort weekly for the first 1–2 seasons; established plants need watering only during extreme drought. Epimedium pinnatum subsp. colchicum (the most widely grown form) is particularly noted for its drought tolerance. Once the extensive rhizome system is established it rarely requires irrigation in temperate UK and US climates. The finger-test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) beats a fixed weekly calendar because pot size, light, and season all change how fast the soil dries.

Is persian barrenwort toxic to cats and dogs?

Persian Barrenwort is mildly toxic to pets. Epimedium pinnatum is not individually listed by ASPCA. As with other Epimedium species, it contains icariin and related flavonoid compounds. Ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in pets or people. Not associated with severe or life-threatening toxicity, but consumption should be avoided.

What USDA hardiness zone does persian barrenwort grow in?

Persian Barrenwort is rated for USDA zone 5-9 and RHS hardiness H6. Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.

Persian Barrenwort deep-dive guides

Every aspect of persian barrenwort care, each with its own calibrated guide:

Featured in these plant shortlists

Persian Barrenwort qualifies for 5 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

Related guides

Persian Barrenwort is also commonly called Persian Barrenwort or Pinnate Barrenwort.