The real valerian is certainly known to many people as a cat herb or sedative. However, only a few people know that it can be grown in their own garden. In this article you can read interesting and interesting facts about valerian (bot. Valeriana officinalis) as a young plant.
What should I pay attention to with a young valerian plant?
Young valerian is not hardy. Therefore, only put it outdoors in the second year. Then the attractive inflorescence of the medicinal plant appears for the first time. If you would like to process the valerian root into a tincture, start from the third year.
Where can I get a young valerian plant?
You can buy real valerian as ayoung plantorgrow it yourself from seedsYou can get young plants in local specialist shops or online. The size of the plant varies depending on the time of year or season. You can also purchase the seeds from specialist retailers. It is recommended to sow in pots in March or April. At a temperature between 5 °C and 18 °C, the first seedlings should appear after 14 to 20 days.
What does a young valerian plant look like?
As a young plant, real valerian is naturally quite small and bears little resemblance to a fully grown valerian plant that can be up to two meters high. More than one rosette of leaves can hardly be expected in the first year; the characteristic pinnateness of the foliage is not very pronounced. The flowers also only appear in the second year.
What should I consider when planting valerian?
Valerian grows best inslightly moist soil and prefers a sunny location. Since the fully grown plant grows up to two meters high and the roots spread widely, you should give the valerian enough space in your bed.
Does valerian need special care as a young plant?
Like many other plants, valerian is a young plantsomewhat sensitiveSo the young plant is not yet hardy in the first year. It should only be planted outdoors the following year. To ensure that your valerian remains strong and persistent, start harvesting the root after two years at the earliest.
Tip
Valerian as a medicinal herb and in the kitchen
Real valerian has a calming and sleep-inducing effect. As a rule, however, standardized preparations are used for treatment. Therapy should never be undertaken without medical advice, as an overdose is harmful. A tea made from dried valerian flowers or grated roots is a suitable home remedy. The young leaves refine fresh salads or a summer punch, but should be harvested before flowering.
