Water avens

Geum rivale

Pet & Human Safety

People: No hazard foundPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

Not applicable; this is an ornamental plant.

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

none named by our sources

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

Neither ASPCA nor NC State lists a pet-safety verdict for this plant. Not listed means no verdict was found, not that it's safe. Keep pets from eating it and call a vet or the ASPCA Poison Control line if a pet seems unwell.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA zones 3 to 7 (Chicago Botanic Garden, an archived page last updated before February 2022).
Light: Full sun to partial shade (Chicago Botanic Garden); dappled shade is best but it tolerates full sun if the soil stays moderately moist (Memorial University Botanical Garden, for woodland avens).
Water needs: high
Mature size: 18 to 28 inches tall (Chicago Botanic Garden).
Where it comes from: Native to both North America and Eurasia; in New York found in wetlands, especially calcium-rich ones (Finger Lakes Native Plant Society). Europe and North America populations differ (Memorial University Botanical Garden).

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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