How to Grow Valerian

Valerian in bloom

Growing Valerian

A tall perennial, valerian (Valeriana officinalis) produces clusters of (usually) white flowers that attract butterflies and bees. It offers a nice screen for the back of an herb patch, especially if grown near a fence or other support. Provide valerian with full sun for at least 6 hours a day. It likes a nitrogen rich soil that drains well and appreciates plenty of moisture.

Valerian can grow to about 5 feet high and more than a foot across, so give it plenty of space. It is hardy in zones 4 through 9. Treat valerian respectfully by giving it a layer of mulch spring and fall.

Spring and fall are also the best times to harvest valerian's roots and thin plants as needed. It can get raggedy and neglected looking after a couple of years and benefits from some tough love.

Cats enjoy valerian almost as much as they love catnip. Valerian is also reputed to attract vermin like mice and rats. I haven't had problems with that, but cats are a regular presence in my garden, so they may be acting as a natural pest repellent. Valerian is non- toxic to both cats and dogs.

How to Propagate Valerian

Although you can propagate this herb from seed, the seeds can be persnickety, so prefer root division or taking soft stem cuttings during early spring.

If you really want to try growing valerian from seed: Unlike basil and other hardy herb seeds that can stay viable in storage for years, germination rates for valerian seeds are iffy at the best of times, so get your seeds while they're hot (uh, fresh) and use them soon after purchase. Plant them in rich, well worked, loose soil to a depth of an 1/8 inch or so.

You can plant seeds directly in the garden in spring (they're frost hardy), but watch out for birds. Seeds germinate close to the surface and need a bit of light to quicken, so they're good candidates for predation. Keep them uniformly moist and they should germinate in a week to 10 days. You can also start seeds indoors. (You'll almost always obtain the best results by reading and following the instructions on the seed packet you buy.)

Dried valerian root

Valerian Is Known for its Strong Smell

As an herb, valerian is an olfactory contradiction. It's been used as a medicinal herb for centuries, but one of it's most distinctive features is its scent. You may love the way valerian smells, but if you do, you're in the minority. Most people who get a whiff of a valerian blossom think it smells a bit like cherry-vanilla (maybe). The surrounding leaves and stems contribute a definite musty, sour, almost rank odor, though, so the overall effect is generally unpleasant.

Still, one common historical use for valerian was in perfumery, so it must have something going for it. It's probably still used in some complex perfume recipes today. Perfumes can have hundreds of ingredients, and some of them are bound to be pretty unique.

Where the plant may smell just marginally tolerable when it's in heavy bloom, the roots definitely smell nasty moldy, and it's the root that's most often dried, powdered and used in herbal preparations.

I can picture valerian in a woodsy/swampy setting where layers of tree leaves are slowly decaying under fallen branches while mushrooms sprout nearby. It's that kind of smell. If you think I'm exaggerating, some word origin experts believe that the word "phew" (for a stinky smell) came from the writings of Dioscorides, a Roman physician in the first century A.D. who called valerian "phu." That seems a bit on the nose to be completely true, but it's a great story.

What valerian lacks in sweet perfume, it makes up for in herbal benefits, though. It's probably the premier sleep aid on the herbal market, and can also be useful as a tranquilizer and anti-depressant. If you think life stinks because you can't catch the zzzzs you need, then valerian may deserve a place in your garden.

Valerian, the Sleep Herb

Valerian's dried and powdered root is widely used as an over the counter herbal sleep aid, but you can produce your own powder for pennies. Still, it can be a little sad growing valerian just to dig it up for its root crop. This is especially true, since valerian takes a few years to develop a strong root system.

*Valerian root can be a pretty powerful sleep inducer for some, and the potency of the root will vary somewhat from season to season or even from bottle to bottle when sold at the pharmacy. This can make determining the right dosage a challenge. The general wisdom is that the dryer the soil the plant is grown in, the more concentrated and potent the root's essential oils will be.


A more mild option, especially if you haven't tried valerian before, is to use the leaves in a sleepy time tea. (The leaves aren't as potent or smelly as the root.) I typically harvest some root and lots of leaves. For valerian tea, I also include lemon balm and passionflower in the mixture. Both are also sleep aids, and together they taste more appealing than valerian alone. Hops is another good addition.

As an herbal trinity for night time relief, valerian (leaves and roots), passionflower leaves and lemon balm (all parts) are pretty reliable. All are also easy to grow, dry, store and use.

My motto is: If you have space in your garden, use it to grow something useful. Make the landscape work for you. I've also found over the years that the search for a safe sleep aid is what often sparks a beginning interest in herbal remedies. If you want to grow a few medicine cabinet ingredients in your backyard, valerian is a good candidate.

I've included a simple valerian tea recipe below.

Valerian Cultivation by the Numbers

• Botanical Name: Valeriana officinalis
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9
• Sowing: Sow seeds outdoors in fall or early spring after a period of cold stratification. Seeds can also be started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date.
• Days to Germination: 7 to 14 days
• Soil Requirements: Prefers well-drained, fertile soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0).
• Moisture and Humidity Needs: Moderate moisture. Water regularly, especially during hot weather, but allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Does not tolerate drought. Average humidity is fine.
• Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Performs best with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
• Spacing: When planting seedlings, space plants 12 inches apart.
• Days to Maturity: 1 to 2 years to flower from seed. Two to three years to to harvest roots.
• Height At Maturity: 3 to 5 feet tall
• Pests and Diseases: Relatively pest and disease resistant. However, When maintained in poor conditions, valerian may be susceptible to aphids, scales, and fungal diseases like powdery mildew.
• Uses and Benefits:
• Valerian root is used medicinally as a relaxant and sleep aid. Its flowers attract butterflies and bees.
• History: Valerian is native to Europe and Asia. It has been used medicinally for over 2,000 years.
• Propagation Methods: Seeds, root division or soft cuttings
• Tips Suggestions and Other Factors: Valerian may spread if not contained. Removing spent flowers encourages growth.

Common Names for Valerian

When sourcing valerian seeds or plants to grow in your garden, be aware this herb is known colloquially as herbal Valium (seriously), and sold and referenced by many other names too, including:

• All-Heal
• Amantilla
• Baldrian
• Common valerian
• English valerian
• Fragrant valerian
• Garden heliotrope
• Garden valerian
• Set well
• St. George’s herb
• Vandal root

I should also mention that there's another common garden plant, Centranthus ruber, known as red valerian. It's a different plant that does not have the curative properties of Valeriana officinalis. It does have a few limited culinary applications: Its young leaves are sometimes used in salads, and the roots are edible. As with any plants you plan on consuming, know what you're growing and harvesting.

To avoid  making an error, shop for valerian using it's botanical name (Valeriana officinalis) to be sure you're getting the right variety.

Medicinal Valerian

Over the years, valerian has developed a folk reputation as a kind of herbal wonder plant that can do it all. You've seen above that one of its common names is all-heal. The science hasn't caught up with that anecdotal reputation, though. There does appear to be some support for the belief that valerian is an effective treatment for insomnia. It isn't a knockout herb that will have you snoring in 15 minutes. It takes from 30 minutes to 2 hours to feel the effects, which exhibit as a relaxed, drowsy feeling.

Valerian has been used to treat the following conditions, but at this writing there isn't enough evidence for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or the National Institutes of Health to rate its effectiveness:

• Anxiety
• Attention-deficit disorder
• Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
• Convulsions
• Depression
• Epilepsy
• Headache
• Hot flashes
• Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Joint pain
• Menstrual cramps
• Migraine
• Muscle pain
• Stomach ache
• Tremors (mild)

*Valerian is generally considered safe, but taking it is contraindicated if you are pregnant or nursing.  Valerian may be habit forming and should be used for brief periods only. The upper limit seems to be 25 days or so for adults, but verify that with the latest research, please. It is not recommended for young children, and may cause drug interactions with alcohol, Alprazolam (Xanax) and any number of sedative medications. It may also increase the effects of other over-the-counter sleeping aids. 

Valerian should not be taken within two weeks of surgery as it may interact with anesthetics and other medicines. It may also react with drugs that are changed in the liver.

For the latest information about this or any other herb, visit MedLine Plus (a service of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services), The National Institutes of Health. Discuss any medical conditions or symptoms you have with a medical professional before adopting or changing your course of treatment.

Harvesting Valerian root

Planting and Cultivating Valerian  - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Should I start valerian from seeds or stem cuttings?

Seeds are more readily available and less expensive, but stem cuttings and seedlings will give you a faster and somewhat more reliable start in spring.

When is the best time to plant valerian seeds?

You can sow valerian seeds indoors 4 weeks before the last frost and  transplant them outdoors when the weather warms up. Depending on your hardiness zone, you can sow seeds outdoors in fall or wait until early spring.

Does valerian prefer full sun or shade?

Valerian thrives on full sun to partial shade. It will tolerate dappled shade, but too much shade can reduce flowering and result in a less robust plant.  For placement, plan for at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily.

What kind of soil does valerian need?

Valerian prefers well-draining, moist soil. If you have clay soil, add amendments to improve drainage and nutrient content. Prefer a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0

What is the planting depth and spacing for valerian? 

Sow seeds 1/2 inch deep and space them about one foot apart. Thin later as needed.

How long do valerian seeds take to germinate? 

Expect germination in 7 to 14 days with consistent moisture and a soil temperature of 60-70°F. Germination will take longer at lower temperatures.

I've heard valerian needs cold stratification. Is that true? If so, what is cold stratification?: 

To improve germination, consider cold stratification for valerian. Cold stratification is the winter cold period valerian seeds need to quicken. It can be artificially induced in the refrigerator. Place seeds in the refrigerator for 2 weeks before sowing indoors, or plant outdoors in late fall/winter for natural stratification.

How often does valerian need watering? 

Keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid overwatering. One way to accomplish this is to water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. (You can also test with the water meter.)

Does valerian need  fertilizer? 

Valerian generally doesn't require additional fertilizing if the soil has been amended or isn't particularly poor.

How tall does valerian grow? 

Valerian can reach a height of 5 feet, and may require staking as it matures, especially in windy or high traffic areas.

Is valerian an invasive plant? 

Yes. To control unwanted spreading, remove flower heads before they go to seed. You can also grow valerian in a container.

How should I prune valerian? 

Pruning and deadheading valerian flowers isn't necessary but can encourage bushier growth.

What pests and diseases can create problems for valerian? 

Valerian is generally resistant to most pest and disease problems when will maintain.

When should I harvest valerian root? 

The roots reach their peak potency after 2 to 3 years. Harvest in the late fall.

How should I harvest valerian root? 

Dig up the entire plant to expose the root system. Wash the roots to remove any soil particles and air dry them for long term storage. After drying, grind or pulverize roots as needed.

What is the most common use for valerian root? 

Dried valerian root Is popular in teas, tinctures and capsule form for its calming and sleep-promoting properties. Please consult with a medical professional before using valerian for medicinal purposes.

Does valerian stink?  

Valerian's strong fragrance can be unpleasant. Situate plants away from patios decks and other high traffic areas

Valerian Tea Recipe

Make a relaxing valerian tea with the addition of lemon balm and passionflower.

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon dried valerian root
• 2 teaspoons dried lemon balm leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried passionflower (leaves and buds)
• 1 cup boiling water

Instructions:

1. Pour  boiling water over the dry ingredients
2. Steep for 10-15 minutes.
3. Strain

Note: Add honey and a lemon as desired. 

Recommendations/Cautions:  For a stronger tea, steep for a longer time.

Lemon balm can interact with some medications and passionflower may lower blood pressure. Consult with your doctor for additional information on any herbal remedies you're considering taking.

Reference

MedlinePlus. "Valerian." http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/870.html

National Institutes of Health. Office of Dietary Supplements."Valerian." http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Valerian-HealthProfessional/

WebMd. "Valerian." http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-870-VALERIAN.aspx?activeIngredientId=870&activeIngredientName=VALERIAN>

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