Valerian [Valeriana officinalis]

Valerian is a very old perennial medicinal plant that has been known in Europe since the 4th century. The medicinal herb has calming ingredients and is used as a natural pain-relieving sleep aid and nerve-calming relaxant. Valerian is an easy-care swamp and wet meadow plant and is therefore used to changing wet and dry conditions. The leaves are used in ointments or prepared in the form of a tea. The plant attracts many insects such as beetles, butterflies and hoverflies to the garden. Valerian grows throughout Europe, especially in moorland meadows and on the banks of rivers and streams.

General information
Plant family: Valerianaceae
Life cycle: Perennial
Days to harvest: 200 days
Plant height approx.: 150 cm
Root type: Deep rooter
Nutrient requirements: Medium eater
Water requirements: Medium
Winter hardiness: Up to -20 °C
Location: Sunny until semi shady
Soil: Permeable, moist, loamy, sandy

pH value: 6 to 7

Sowing and planting information
Germ type: Light germinator
Sowing depth: 0 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 15-25 °C
Germination time: 10-20 days
Plant and row spacing: 40x50 cm

Optimal mixed culture: Bean, Dill, Pea, Potato, Cabbage
Unfavorable mixed culture: Lamb's lettuce, Wormwood

Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Sow directly outdoors from March to May or in autumn from September to October. We recommend pre-cultivation in small pots from February to May or in autumn from August to October.

Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Sow directly outdoors from May to June after the last frosts. We recommend pre-cultivation in small pots from March to June.

General
When pre-cultivating, sow the seeds in small pots and let the seedlings grow to the first visible valerian leaves. Then plant the pregrown plants from the pots directly into the open field. The seedlings are planted in the bed from the 2nd pair of leaves after the cotyledons.
As a typical swamp and wet meadow plant, valerian prefers a sunny location with moist, heavy clay soil.

Additional tips
Seedlings need to be watered regularly, after which larger plants can be kept drier. Soils can also be flooded at times; the species is used to changing wetness and can also cope with drier soils in the garden. Tends to self-seed heavily. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil, we recommend additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock powder.

Type of propagation
It spreads via seeds.

Plant care
No maintenance necessary.

Germination ability of seeds: 2-3 years

Other Names
Botanical names: Valeriana officinalis
English names: Valerian
German names: Baldrian, Katzenkraut
Portuguese names: Valeriana
Spanish names: Valeriana
French names: Valériane