Valerian is not only calming, it also looks beautiful. If you want to plant valerian, it is not difficult. However, you should note a few things.
Valerian (Valeriana) is mainly known as a medicinal plant and is valued for its calming effect. Cats develop a special fondness for the plant and even the hobby gardener is able to convince valerian with its lush flowers. The scent may take some getting used to, but it also has admirers. In India, even perfume is made from the extracts. So that the plant can enrich your garden, it depends on the right care. With the planting you create the basis for lush plant growth and a rich harvest.
Find the right location
Valerian makes hardly any demands on its location. When planting, it is important to consider the dimensions that the plant can assume. Since valerian likes to spread, it doesn't like to be crowded. The plants can grow up to two meters high and also gain considerable girth in width. A warm and dry location is advantageous. Valerian is quite robust and tolerates draughty locations as well as heat build-up. This makes the plant ideal for the rock garden and is also suitable for greening walls. Due to its frost hardiness, valerian is also well suited for rougher locations.
▶ Tip: The ideal location for valerian plants is exposed to the sun for about six hours a day.
The ideal location in keywords:
- dry
- sunny
- detached
The ideal soil conditions
Valerian is also not particularly demanding when it comes to soil. Valerian thrives in crevices in walls as well as on stony surfaces. The soil should not have too much moisture. The water can drain off better if the soil is loosened up with coarse sand or gravel before planting. Particularly poor soils can be provided with compost. This provides the plant with a natural fertilizer.
An overview of suitable soil conditions:
- loose
- dry
- profound
▶ Tip: The ideal soil pH for valerian is 5.5 to 7.
Planting valerian - step by step
When is the ideal time?
Valerian can be planted in spring as well as in autumn. In the spring, no more frosts should be expected. In the fall, the first frosts shouldn't have set in yet.
How to proceed in detail?
- Select Location
- Loosen and prepare the soil
- Note the planting distance
- Dig planting hole
- Insert plant
- Close planting hole
- Press the earth well
- Lightly pour on valerian
Once the right location has been found, the soil should first be cleared of weeds and loosened up well. This is a prerequisite for the plant to be able to root well and absorb sufficient nutrients from the soil. The plants need enough space. Therefore, the planting distance should be almost one meter.
▶ Tip: Valerian tends to form runners and should not be planted too close to flowers or vegetables. Regularly removing the flowers of the plant prevents uncontrolled spread.
Growing valerian from seeds - this is how it works
Valerian can also be grown from seeds. However, the seeds are only partially germinable and the task will demand a lot of patience. Fresh seeds should be used if possible. If seeds have been stored for more than a year, the chance of germination decreases further.
The seeds are placed in seed trays or plant pots from March. It should be noted that these are light germs. Therefore, the seeds are only lightly pressed and not covered with soil. The seeds should be kept evenly moist. Warm water is used for this. A sunny location is also beneficial. With a bit of luck, the first shoot tips will appear after about a month.
▶ Tip: If the planters are covered with foil, the germination time can be accelerated.
Important tips and hints at a glance
| Measure | Explanation |
| Location | ▶ The location should be chosen as sunny as possible. ▶ Valerian likes a dry location and is not very demanding. ▶ It is important to ensure sufficient planting distance, as the plant likes to move spreads. |
| Soil condition | ▶ A simple garden soil is usually sufficient for the quite undemanding plant. ▶ Heavy and wet soil is less suitable for valerian. ▶ To prevent waterlogging, the soil should be loosened and mixed with gravel or sand. |
| Planting Process | ▶ Once the soil has been loosened and freed from weeds, the planting hole can be dug and the valerian planted. ▶ Then press down the soil well. |
| Irrigation | ▶ After planting, valerian is watered well. ▶ Then watered moderately. The soil should not be too moist. ▶ The plant does not tolerate waterlogging. |
Why plant valerian? - the benefit
Valerian is not only an ornament in the bed, but primarily also a useful plant. The roots and the flowers can be used. The flowers can be harvested throughout the summer in the first year after planting. However, the roots will only be strong enough in the second year. Valerian roots are dug up, cleaned and dried in the fall.
Valerian promotes he althy sleep and helps to strengthen the nerves. Tea can be made from the dried roots. This should be drunk before bedtime.
▶ Tip: Valerian should not be taken in excessive doses. Headaches, lethargy, and other side effects may occur.
Valerian does not make you tired or addictive and is therefore a good alternative to conventional nerve-strengthening and anxiety-relieving drugs.