(Leonurus cardiaca ‘Motherwort')
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Motherwort is a perennial herb that is native to southeastern Europe and central Asia but can be commonly found growing along woodland margins and along roads throughout most of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 2-4' and features 4 upward angled stems, green deeply lobed leaves, and 2 lipped tubular pink-lilac flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, butterflies, hoverflies, and predatory wasps, resistant to deer, is used to makes dye, is both edible and medicinal, and self sows!Â
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Leonurus
Species: cardiaca
Variety: Motherwort
Also Known As: Throw-wort, Lion's ear, and Lion's tail.
Native Range: Russia and central Asia.
Grown as: Perennial
Maturity (Blooms): 100 days (June-September)
Start Indoors: Yes
Start Outdoors: Yes
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water: Medium.
Soil Moisture: Medium.
Maintenance: Low
Beneficial Insects?: Yes Motherwort nurtures a great diversity of wasps, honeybees, and hoverflies all summer long.
Containers?: Yes. To avoid unwanted spread, try growing it in containers or raised beds.
Height: 24-48"
Spacing: 24-36”
Sow Depth: 1/8"
Produces: 4 upward angled stems, green deeply lobed leaves, and 2 lipped tubular pink-lilac flowers
USDA Zone: 3-9
Genus: Leonurus
Species: cardiaca
Variety: Motherwort
Also Known As: Throw-wort, Lion's ear, and Lion's tail.
Native Range: Russia and central Asia.
Grown as: Perennial
Maturity (Blooms): 100 days (June-September)
Start Indoors: Yes
Start Outdoors: Yes
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water: Medium.
Soil Moisture: Medium.
Maintenance: Low
Beneficial Insects?: Yes Motherwort nurtures a great diversity of wasps, honeybees, and hoverflies all summer long.
Containers?: Yes. To avoid unwanted spread, try growing it in containers or raised beds.
Height: 24-48"
Spacing: 24-36”
Sow Depth: 1/8"
Produces: 4 upward angled stems, green deeply lobed leaves, and 2 lipped tubular pink-lilac flowers
USDA Zone: 3-9
If starting from seed or transplants, it is necessary to cold stratify seeds for a few weeks prior to planting. This is simply a measure to trick seeds into thinking that they have just experienced winter and the time has come to sprout.
To cold stratify seeds, soak for 12-24 hours and then put them in a plastic bag filled with sand and peat. Seal the bag and place it in the refrigerator for 10 days, checking regularly for moisture and spritzing lightly if the mix becomes dry.
Sow 2-3 seeds per containers indoors or broadcast seeds in late spring and cover with a very thin 1/8-inch layer of soil. Light and soil moisture are both required for germination. They should sprout in 10-21 days, and strong seedlings can be thinned to 2-3 feet apart.
You can also choose to sow seeds directly in the garden in late fall. This way, there is no need to cold stratify your seeds first, as the cold winter weather will take care of this process for you in most growing zones.
To cold stratify seeds, soak for 12-24 hours and then put them in a plastic bag filled with sand and peat. Seal the bag and place it in the refrigerator for 10 days, checking regularly for moisture and spritzing lightly if the mix becomes dry.
Sow 2-3 seeds per containers indoors or broadcast seeds in late spring and cover with a very thin 1/8-inch layer of soil. Light and soil moisture are both required for germination. They should sprout in 10-21 days, and strong seedlings can be thinned to 2-3 feet apart.
You can also choose to sow seeds directly in the garden in late fall. This way, there is no need to cold stratify your seeds first, as the cold winter weather will take care of this process for you in most growing zones.
This hardy perennial can grow in many different conditions, but look for a spot with well draining soil, and amend beds or containers with compost before planting. It is also adaptable to most soil types, though moist, rich soil with a slightly alkaline pH of 7.7 is ideal. Motherwort grows well in any type of light. You can plant it wherever you have room, whether your chosen location is in full sun or bathed in shade. Dig a hole twice the width of the roots, spread the rhizome out and gently place it in the hole. Cover it up with soil until the hole is filled in and water well. Keep plants spaced at least 2' apart. While it is helpful to keep this herb watered well while it is young, once established, it is hardy and drought tolerant. Even better, it is also very rarely affected by pests or disease. Motherwort is a vigorous grower, and care must be taken to ensure that it doesn’t spread more than desired so be sure to grow it in a container or raised garden bed. To prevent self seeding, cut foliage back to 3-5 inches after flowering and before the seeds have a chance to mature. This keeps the plant from going to seed and spreading everywhere.
The ideal time to harvest motherwort is in early to midsummer, just as the plant is beginning to flower. But you can also harvest the large, soft leaves in the pre-flowering stage. Cut and collect the top third of the stems, including the leaves, flowers, and buds. Once the herb has finished flowering, it quickly loses its vitality. You will notice that the leaves suddenly seem to look thin and brown, and you will have to wait until next season to harvest more. Don’t forget your gloves and pruning shears! The flower stalks can be a bit prickly.
Edible Uses:
The fresh or dried flowers can be used as a flavoring in soups, particularly lentil or split pea. They are also used as a flavoring in beer. Fresh or dried flowers can be used to make a tea.
Tea recipe:
1 TSP. Motherwort leaves (dried) per 1 cup of boiling water. Drink it as is or add a sweetener such as honey if you prefer to sweeten your tea.
The fresh or dried flowers can be used as a flavoring in soups, particularly lentil or split pea. They are also used as a flavoring in beer. Fresh or dried flowers can be used to make a tea.
Tea recipe:
1 TSP. Motherwort leaves (dried) per 1 cup of boiling water. Drink it as is or add a sweetener such as honey if you prefer to sweeten your tea.
Motherwort is especially valuable in the treatment of female weaknesses and disorders, allaying nervous irritability, inducing quiet and passivity of the whole nervous system. It is also seen as a remedy for heart palpitations, it has a strengthening effect, especially on a weak heart. The antispasmodic and sedative effects promote relaxation rather than drowsiness. The leaves are antispasmodic, astringent, cardiac, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, nervine, sedative, stomachic, tonic and uterine stimulant. They are taken internally in the treatment of heart complaints (notably palpitations) and problems associated with menstruation, childbirth and menopause, especially of nervous origin. Although an infusion can be used, the taste is so bitter that the plant is usually made into a conserve or syrup. An alcoholic extract is said to possess superior action to valerian (Valeriana officinalis). The plant has been found effective in the treatment of functional heart complaints due to autonomic imbalance, and also as an anti-thyroid treatment, though it needs to be taken for several months for these effects to be noticed. The whole herb is harvested in August when in flower and can be dried for later use. It should not be prescribed in the earlier stages of pregnancy or where periods are heavy. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant. It is used in the treatment of heart complaints, amenorrhoea, menopausal problems and flatulence.
Known hazards: Skin contact with this plant can cause dermatitis in susceptible people. The fragrant essential oil can cause photosensitization. Grazing animals can have their mouths injured by the sharp teeth of the calyces.
Known hazards: Skin contact with this plant can cause dermatitis in susceptible people. The fragrant essential oil can cause photosensitization. Grazing animals can have their mouths injured by the sharp teeth of the calyces.
Project Purity Seeds can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Companion Planting
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems.
A dark olive-green dye is obtained from the leaves.