Valeriana officinalis - Valerian - €7 per plant

Valeriana officinalis, commonly called Valerian, is a clumping perennial with scented leaves, stems, flowers and roots, the later being widely used in herbalism to treat insomnia. Extremely winter hardy, Valerian grows best in full sun in a wide variety of soil types and conditions. After the flowers are gone, the stems can be cut back and the unique leaves will continue to fill the area creating almost a ground layer or foreground accent for taller summer flowers. Leaves are very rich in phosphorus and it is known as a dynamic accumulator. To order this plant email: [email protected].  

Context

  • native region: Europe, including Britain but not the extreme north and south, temperate Asia to Japan
  • native habitat: Grassland, scrub, woods.
  • family: Valerianaceae

Predators

  • It is consumed as food by the larvae of some Lepidoptera (butterfly and moth) species.

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Full sun, partial shade
  • soil pH:  Acid, neutral -basic alkaline 
  • USDA Hardiness: 4 - 8
  • Prefers moist soil
  • Prefers well drained soil

Known hazards 

  • Prolonged medicinal use of this plant can lead to addiction. Do not take with other sedatives. Sometimes causes adverse side effects.  

Overview


  • Herbaceous perennial growing to 1.5m  by 1m at a medium rate. 
  • In flower from June to August
  • Seeds ripen from July to September
  • The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Wind.
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. 
  • It can grow in full sun and partial shade
  • It prefers moist soil​
  • Prefers well drained soil

Characteristics

  • form: Herbaceous perennial 
  • layer: Herb layer
  • habit: Clumping, rhizomes
  • height x width (m): 1.5 x 1

Products 

  • Leaves: Leaves are odd-pinnate, each leaf having 7-10 pairs of toothed, lance-shaped leaflets. Leaves are aromatic when bruised. Many people like to use dried valerian leaf for a night time brew. They are said to have a milder sedative effect then the roots
  • Flowers: Valerian flowers are bourne on long stems and smell nice, attracting all sorts of beneficial organisms to the garden. White or pale pink, they have a sweet, almost vanilla like scent.
  • Roots: Harvest the roots after rainfall in the autumn. Wash the soil from the roots, then dehydrate the roots. Known to be super smelly!
  • Medicinal: Medicine is mainly made from the root. Most commonly used for sleep disorders, especially the inability to sleep,  also used orally for anxiety and psychological stress,

Functions, behaviours


  • Readily reproduces from the rhizomes and also from seed
  • Known as a dynamic accumulator
  • Cats adore the plant, often rolling over on it.
  • Can be invasive in the right conditions
If you would like this plant please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project