Beginner
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Valeriana officinalis (Common valerian)
1 hour care
per year
per year
2m
Max height
Max height
0.8m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Valeriana officinalis
Other names
Common valerian, All heal, Set-well, English valerian, Belgian valerian, German valerian, Wild valerian, Heliotrope, Garden heliotrope, Fragrant valerian, Vandal root, Phu , Amantilla, Capon's tail
Genus
Valeriana Valeriana
Species
V. officinalis - V. officinalis is a clump-forming, upright, herbaceous perennial with fleshy, branching stems, aromatic, bright green basal and stem leaves and clusters of pink or white flowers in summer.
Valeriana officinalis is: Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Upright
Toxicity
Continual use, or high doses may cause severe discomfort and medical problems.
Flower
White, Pink in Summer
Foliage
Bright-green in Spring; Bright-green in Summer; Bright-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free.
Diseases
Generally disease free.
General care
Pruning
Cut stems in autumn. If self-seeding becomes a problem, cut back hard after the first flowering.
Propagation methods
Seed
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Valeriana officinalis (Common valerian) will reach a height of 2m and a spread of 0.8m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Wallside and trellises, Wildflower, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grows best in any moist soil in full sun or partial shade. Do not allow soil to dry out. May become invasive.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Valeriana officinalis
Other names
Common valerian, All heal, Set-well, English valerian, Belgian valerian, German valerian, Wild valerian, Heliotrope, Garden heliotrope, Fragrant valerian, Vandal root, Phu , Amantilla, Capon's tail
Genus
Valeriana Valeriana
Species
V. officinalis - V. officinalis is a clump-forming, upright, herbaceous perennial with fleshy, branching stems, aromatic, bright green basal and stem leaves and clusters of pink or white flowers in summer.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Upright
Toxicity
Continual use, or high doses may cause severe discomfort and medical problems.
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
White, Pink in Summer
Foliage
Bright-green in Spring; Bright-green in Summer; Bright-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free.
Diseases
Generally disease free.
General care
Pruning
Cut stems in autumn. If self-seeding becomes a problem, cut back hard after the first flowering.
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Valeriana officinalis (Common valerian) will reach a height of 2m and a spread of 0.8m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Wallside and trellises, Wildflower, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grows best in any moist soil in full sun or partial shade. Do not allow soil to dry out. May become invasive.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
GARDENS WITH THIS PLANT
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
By acclaimed garden designer Joe Francis. The inspiration for the garden came from Joe’s personal experience of depression and suicidal thoughts. Joe has teamed up with Maytree, a National… read more
Designed by Jo Thompson. Classicism meets modernism in this garden which references Etruria, Wedgwood’s eighteenth century factory and village built for workers, where forward-thinking elements… read more
By West London based garden designer Jonathan Snow. This year, Jonathan and Trailfinders want to transport visitors several thousand miles west around the globe, to the temperate rainforests of South… read more
Esteemed garden designer, Helen Elks-Smith, is creating a Show Garden on Main Avenue for the first time for Warner’s Distillery. read more
By garden designers Anna Benn and Hannah Gardner. A Russian-themed garden based on the country estate near Moscow where Anton Chekhov, one of Russia’s greatest writers, wrote his famous play … read more
Report content or feedback to Shoot
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login
DISCUSS THIS PLANT
Valerian tea
There is 1 active discussion about Valeriana officinalis (Common valerian)
View all discussions