Poached egg plant (Douglas’s meadowfoam) Limnanthes douglasii
Poached egg plant (Douglas’s meadowfoam) (Limnanthes douglasii) is an annual flowering plant in the Limnanthaceae family, native to Wet meadows of California and Oregon, USA. It grows 10–20 cm (4–8 in) tall and 15–25 cm (6–10 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -8 °C (18 °F). Space plants about 15 cm (6 in) apart.
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Poached egg plant (Douglas’s meadowfoam) at a glance
| Type | Annual flowering plant |
|---|---|
| Family | Limnanthaceae |
| Mature height | 10–20 cm (4–8 in) |
| Mature spread | 15–25 cm (6–10 in) |
| Spacing | 15 cm (6 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -8 °C (18 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Flowering | about 8–11 weeks after planting, for 5–9 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 90 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Wet meadows of California and Oregon, USA |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇳🇿 New Zealand, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany |
Is Poached egg plant (Douglas’s meadowfoam) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Poached egg plant (Douglas’s meadowfoam)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Poached egg plant (Douglas’s meadowfoam)
- How far apart should I plant Poached egg plant (Douglas’s meadowfoam)?
- About 15 cm (6 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 15–25 cm (6–10 in).
- Does Poached egg plant (Douglas’s meadowfoam) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Poached egg plant (Douglas’s meadowfoam) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Poached egg plant (Douglas’s meadowfoam)?
- It tolerates about -8 °C (18 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Poached egg plant (Douglas’s meadowfoam) flower?
- About 8–11 weeks after planting, for 5–9 weeks.
- Is Poached egg plant (Douglas’s meadowfoam) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Poached egg plant (Douglas’s meadowfoam)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Poached egg plant (Douglas’s meadowfoam). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Calflora: information on California plants, Calflora (non-profit database), Berkeley, California
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- A hardy annual: sow where it is to flower in autumn or early spring, thin the seedlings, and let some plants set seed.
- Yellow-centred white flowers on a low mat. Kitchen gardeners sow it by broad beans and along paths to bring in the hoverflies whose larvae eat aphids.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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