Roseroot (Rhodiola rosea) is an ancient medicinal plant whose stress-relieving effects were already known to the Vikings. Certain types of the plant can be grown in the garden. Interesting facts about rhodiola root and tips for cultivation and care in the home garden.
How to grow rhodiola in the garden?
Roseroot (Rhodiola rosea) is a perennial medicinal plant with stress-relieving effects. For cultivation in the home garden, it requires a sunny location, well-drained, lime-free soil and a planting distance of around 25 cm. The plant is hardy and easy to care for.
The rose root – a little profile
- Botanical name: Rhodiola rosea
- Species: approx. 50, 2 of them in Europe
- Plant type: Succulent
- Plant family: Thick-leaved plants
- Origin: Pyrenees, Alps, Arctic, North America
- Perennial: yes
- Size: up to 35 cm high
- female flower: flowers initially yellow, then orange
- male flower: purple
- Flowering period: May to July
- Winter hardiness: up to -40 degrees
- Use: medicinal plant
Roseroot is a perennial herbaceous plant that produces thick, fleshy stems and many flowers. It forms clumps and rhizomes that can be used for propagation.
Rhodewort has been known as a medicinal plant for centuries. The Vikings are said to have used the positive effects. Today the plant is particularly valued in the Scandinavian countries as well as the B altics and Russia.
The root of rose root is used. Extracts and teas are made from it. Little is known about the healing effects of plants grown in the garden. It is important that you actually plant the variety whose roots contain the desired ingredients.
Scent of rose root
The rose root owes its German name to the fact that the stems give off a slightly rose-like scent when they are cut. This aroma is also created when the root is ground. The flowers also exude a pleasant scent.
Roseroot has a stress-relieving effect
Roseroot is used for a number of disease symptoms. The effect has been scientifically proven in some studies, but effectiveness could not be confirmed in other studies. Roseroot contains, among other things:
- Glycosides
- Flavonoids
- Terpenoids
- Proanthocyanidins
- organic acids
The extract from the root is said to help with states of exhaustion and make the patient more resistant to stress. Tea or rhodiola root extract is also recommended for potency problems, mild and moderate depression and anxiety disorders.
Growing rhodiola in the garden
The location for roseroot in the garden should be as sunny as possible. Since the plant is completely hardy, it does not need a sheltered location or cover in winter. Growing it in a container is not that easy because roseroot develops very long taproots.
The soil must be well drained and free of lime. A mixture of mature compost soil with gravel has proven successful. The soil must be deeply loosened so that the rose root's taproots have plenty of space. The plant looks very good in the rock garden or alpine garden. It also looks extremely decorative as a ground cover.
Roseroot is planted in spring. The planting distance between the individual plants should be around 25 centimeters.
Easy-care medicinal plant for alpine gardens
Once the rose root has settled into the garden, you no longer need to worry about its care. Watering is only necessary when the soil is completely dry in summer.
Some gardeners recommend fertilizing roseroot in summer. This is usually not necessary. Only use organic fertilizer if you do not want to completely forgo additional nutrients. It is beneficial if you sprinkle some ripe compost around the planting site in spring and rake it in lightly.
Caring for rhodiola in the pot
If you want to grow roseroot in a pot, you need a very deep pot so that the taproots have enough space. A large drainage hole is important so that waterlogging does not occur. Fill the pot with loamy soil mixed with gravel.
During the growing season in summer, you must water the potted plant regularly. However, the substrate must not become too moist. Do not leave any water in the saucer and only water again when the soil on top has dried thoroughly.
Place the pot in a sunny to partially shaded location on the terrace or balcony. Although rhodiola is completely hardy, it is better to place the pot in a frost-free place in winter. Alternatively, you can place it in a protected corner on an insulating surface.
How to propagate rhodiola root
Roseroot can be propagated by sowing. For this you need seeds, which you can get from specialist retailers. Growing seeds yourself is not recommended as the resulting plants are often not of the same variety.
Sowing is done in early spring, preferably in a greenhouse. Fill seed trays with a mixture of clay and sand that should not be too moist. The seed must not be covered afterwards, as rhodiola is one of the light germinators. The temperatures should always be above ten degrees.
It takes between two and four weeks for the seed to germinate. The plants are then separated and cared for in the greenhouse for the rest of the year. You should only put the young plants outdoors after the next winter.
Tip
The species Rhodiola heterodonta, which is related to rhodiola, is not suitable as a medicinal plant. It is grown as a purely ornamental plant in bright, sunny locations.