Does valerian need full sun?

It prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade.

How do I harvest the roots?

Dig up the roots in the autumn of the second year.

Plant guide

Valerian.

Valeriana officinalis L.

Pronounced vah-LEER-ee-ah-nah oh-fiss-ih-NAH-liss

Also known as Common Valerian, European valerian, Garden Heliotrope, Garden Valerian, Garðabrúða

Valerian is a hardy perennial herb known for its fragrant, clusters of tiny flowers and medicinal roots. It thrives in cool, moist environments and adds a lovely cottage garden feel to your landscape. You will find it is quite easy to grow if you provide enough moisture.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial herb
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 5 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 9
Bloom time: Early to mid summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist, as this plant dislikes drying out completely. Watch for wilting leaves which signal a need for more water. It is a vigorous grower, so consider giving it plenty of space to spread.

Watering: Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
Feeding: Apply a balanced organic fertilizer once during the spring growth spurt.
Pruning: Deadhead spent flower stalks to encourage a tidy appearance and prevent unwanted self seeding.
Repotting: Divide the root clumps every couple of years to keep the plant vigorous.
Soil: Rich, loamy, well draining soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -30 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years.
Fragrance: Strong
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Stunted growth during the active season.

Safety

People: The plant is generally safe, but excessive consumption of root extracts may cause headaches or digestive upset.
Children: Keep away from children as the strong scent and root structure may be tempting to dig up and taste.
Contact allergens: Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from handling the fresh roots.
Airborne allergens: The pollen can trigger mild reactions in sensitive individuals during the flowering season.
Edibility: Consult a healthcare professional before consuming as herbal supplements can interact with medications.

How to identify it

Clusters of tiny pink or white flowers
Deeply pinnate, fern like foliage
Strong, sweet, musky floral scent
Tall, upright flowering stems

Height: 0.9 to 1.5m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: white, pink, 0.5cm
Fruit: brown, Late summer

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Powdery MildewCommon
Slugs and SnailsCommon
Leaf SpotUncommon
Root RotUncommon
RustUncommon

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, division
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Cut back the dead foliage to the ground after the first hard frost. Apply a layer of mulch if you live in an area with very cold winters.
In containers: It grows well in large containers at least 30 centimeters deep to accommodate the root system.

Division

1. Dig up the plant in early spring.
2. Gently pull the root clump apart.
3. Replant the sections immediately in moist soil.

Plant valerian near the edge of a damp garden bed to provide a vertical accent for lower growing herbs.

Grows well with

Lemon Balm — They share similar moisture requirements and look lovely together.
Mint — Both thrive in moist soil conditions.

Similar species

Red Valerian — It has a similar growth habit but prefers drier soil.

Science

Family: Caprifoliaceae
Genus: Valeriana
Order: Dipsacales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Europe and parts of Asia.
Conservation: This plant is common and not of conservation concern.

It thrives in damp meadows and woodland edges where it can spread via underground rhizomes.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, attracts beneficial insects
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, moths
Uses: medicinal herb, pollinator garden, cottage garden

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Nutrients: 6/9
Light: 6/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 7/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does valerian need full sun?: It prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade.
How do I harvest the roots?: Dig up the roots in the autumn of the second year.

Where the name comes from

The scientific name Valeriana officinalis refers to its historical use as a medicinal plant, with officinalis indicating it was sold in apothecaries.

Good to know

Cats are sometimes attracted to the roots in a similar way to catnip.
The name valerian comes from the Latin word valere, meaning to be strong or healthy.
It was historically used as a perfume ingredient in the sixteenth century.

Also in

Deer-resistant plants

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.