(Valeriana Officinalis 'Valerian')

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Valerian is a clumping perennial herb that is native to Europe and western Asia but can be commonly found growing in fields, along roadsides, and on the damper side of gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 20-40” and features a clump of deeply lobed basal leaves, tall, sparsely-leaved, slim stems, and umbels that bare clusters of sweet scented pale pink flowers. This plant should be grown in a container, attracts bees and butterflies, tolerates deer and frost, is both edible and medicinal, and is great as a cut flower!

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  • General Information
  • Germination
  • Seedlings
  • Harvesting
  • Seed Saving
  • Culinary
  • Medicinal
  • Companion Planting
  • Other Uses
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​Family: Caprifoliaceae

Genus: Valeriana 
​
Species: officinalis

Variety: Valerian

Also Known As: Garden heliotrope, Common Valerian, Garden Valerian, or All-heal

Native to: Albania, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Bulgaria, Central European Rus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, East European Russia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Krym, North Caucasus, North European Russi, Northwest European R, Poland, Romania, South European Russi, Sweden, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Turkey, Turkey-in-Europe, Ukraine, Yugoslavia.

Introduced into: British Columbia, Connecticut, Greece, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Labrador, Maine, Manitoba, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Prince Edward I., Québec, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Yukon.

Grown as: Perennial

Hardiness: Extremely cold hardy, even in harsh winter climates. Plants die back to the ground in winter and re-emerge in spring. It prefers cooler weather.
 
Maturity (Blooms):  June to July

Start Indoors: Yes
​
Start Outdoors: Yes

Light: Full Sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)

Water: Medium. This plant enjoys abundant rainfall.

Soil Moisture: Medium. Any average, well drained soil.

Maintenance: Medium

Beneficial Insects?: Yes. Valerian flowers attract bees and butterflies. The plant also is resistant to deers.

Containers?: Yes. Plant Valerian in a large pot in moist, rich, loamy soil. Water regularly and keep by a very sunny window.​

Height: 20-40"
 
Spacing: 18-36”

Sow Depth: 1/8"
 
USDA Zone: 4-9

Produces: a clump of deeply lobed basal leaves, tall, sparsely-leaved, slim stems, and umbels that bare clusters of sweet scented pale pink flowers. 

Garden Uses: Grown for ornamental and/or herbal purposes. Cottage gardens, borders, herb gardens, cutting gardens or naturalized areas. Good cut flower.​
Valerian seeds require light to germinate so it is best if sown 1/8th inch below the soil surface. Valerian also requires heat to germinate so make sure the temperature is 65-75F. If your home is cold, you can try creating a mini-greenhouse over your seed trays with plastic wrap. Keep the soil moist and germination should occur in 7-21 days.
Set your seedlings outside two to four weeks before your last frost. Space them 18-36” apart in full sun, consistently moist conditions, and soil consisting of fertile loam with a pH anywhere between 6.0-8.0.
​Dig roots in fall or early spring and dry outdoors, because they release an unpleasant smell as they dry. Store in airtight container. Dried valerian roots are used to make a bedtime tea that promotes sleep. They are also much loved by cats and dogs.
Valerian spreads by rhizomes and seeds. This plant will self sow so if you want to control its spread you will need to cut back flowering stems before they can shed seeds in your garden. 
An essential oil from the leaves and root is used as a flavoring in ice cream, baked goods, condiments etc. It is especially important in apple flavors. The leaves can also be used as a condiment. The plant is used in moderation as a herbal tea.
​​According to the Farmer's Almanac you can "Dig the complete root up in second season in late autumn. Remove fibrous roots, leaving the edible center. Valerian can be dried for future use."
Valerian is a well-known and frequently used medicinal herb that has a long and proven history of efficacy. It is noted especially for its effect as a tranquilizer and nervine, particularly for those people suffering from nervous overstrain. Valerian has been shown to encourage sleep, improve sleep quality and reduce blood pressure. It is also used internally in the treatment of painful menstruation, cramps, hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome etc. It should not be prescribed for patients with liver problems. Externally, it is used to treat eczema, ulcers and minor injuries. The root is antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, hypnotic, powerfully nervine, sedative and stimulant. The active ingredients are called valepotriates, research has confirmed that these have a calming effect on agitated people, but are also a stimulant in cases of fatigue. The roots of 2 year old plants are harvested in the autumn once the leaves have died down and are used fresh or dried. The fresh root is about 3 times as effective as roots dried at 40C, whilst temperatures above 82C destroy the active principle in the root. Use with caution, see the notes above on toxicity.

Known Hazards: It is said that prolonged medicinal use of this plant can lead to addiction. A course of treatment should not exceed 3 months.
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

Companions: Echinacea, Catnip, Agastache and Dill. Often planted with low, mound-forming herbs and flowers. 

Problems

​No serious insect or disease problems.
The plant yields about 1% of an essential oil from the roots. It is used in perfumery to provide a "mossy" aroma, though the scent is considered to be disagreeable by many people. The dried roots are also placed in linen cupboards and clothes drawers in order to scent the clothes. The dried root attracts rats and cats, it can be used as a bait to lure them away from other areas. An ingredient of "QR" herbal compost activator. This is a dried and powdered mixture of several herbs that can be added to a compost heap in order to speed up bacterial activity and thus shorten the time needed to make the compost. The plant can also be used to make a very good liquid plant feed. It attracts earthworms. The leaves are very rich in phosphorus.

Suggested Varieties

(Nepeta cataria ‘Catnip')

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Catnip is a perennial herb that is native to Europe and Asia but can be commonly found growing in open woodlands and fields, and along roadsides throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-18” and features grayish square stems, 3” oval shaped, aromatic green leaves, and clusters of small spikes of pale lavender or white two-lipped ¼” flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees and birds, repels ants, aphids, flea beetles, mice, and squash bugs, tolerates drought and frost, makes potpourri, is both edible and medicinal, and self sows! 
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(Agastache nepetoides ‘Yellow Giant')

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Giant Yellow Hyssop is a native perennial herb that can be commonly found growing on woodland edges, thickets, and in moist open woods throughout the Midwest and southwest United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 5-6' and features square shaped stalks, arrowhead-shaped, 5” toothed leaves, and 5” terminal spikes that bare greenish=yellow flowers. This plant grows in a container, attracts bees, birds, and butterflies, repels cabbage moths, tolerates deer, drought and frost, is both edible and medicinal, self sows, and is great as a cut flower! 
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