St. Johns Wort seeds
St. John's Wort has been used for hundreds of years both topically, and internally. Also known as the feel-good herb, happy herb, or "demon chaser", cultures worldwide have used it mainly to combat anxiety and depression. St. Johns Wort is also an ideal ingredient that can be used in soap on account of it's topical benefits.
St. John's Wort is a perennial and will grace you with its presence year after year. These look great in rock beds or mixed with lavender as the yellow and the purples contrast each other dramatically.
Interestingly enough, if the flowers are left to bloom and fall off, red berries will form. The branches and red berries are great for fall arrangements, door decorations, etc. These berries are not for human consumption, and should only be used for decoration. St. John's Wort will need full sun. Once it has bloomed, it is drought tolerant and frost hardy. Each plant can get up to 3 feet tall.
Seed count: 50
Botanic name:
Hypericum perforatum
Plant spacing:
18" - 24" apart
Color:
Green foliage with yellow blooms
Sowing depth:
Top sow, mix seeds into the soil and keep watered at all times, not allowing the seeds to dry out before they sprout. Use a misting bottle to water daily. Seeds can take up to 6 weeks to germinate
Sun requirements:
Full sun
Utilization:
St. John's wart has several beneficial uses for health that include topical and internal applications. The foliage and flowers are edible and can be used as an ingrediant or a garnish.
Frost hardy:
Yes
Maturity days:
60-90 days
Life cycle:
Perennial
Can I start indoors:
Yes
Container friendly:
Yes
Other names:
Happy herb, Amber, Barbe de Saint-Jean, Chassediable, Demon chaser, Goatweed, Hardhay, Hierba de San Juan, Hypereikon
Hardiness zones:
3,4,5,6,7,8
Growing and cold stratification instructions:
1. Seed Preparation (Cold Stratification - if starting from seed):
- Why Cold Stratify? St. John's Wort seeds often benefit from cold stratification, which mimics winter conditions and helps break dormancy.
- Steps:
- Gather your St. John's Wort seeds.
- Moisten a paper towel or some peat moss.
- Place the seeds on the moist material.
- Seal the seeds in a plastic bag or container.
- Place the bag in your refrigerator (not freezer) for 4-6 weeks.
- Maintain slight moisture during this time.
2. Planting:
- Timing:
- If starting indoors, sow seeds 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost.
- Direct sowing outdoors can occur after the danger of frost has passed.
- Location:
- Choose a location with full sun to partial shade. St. John's Wort prefers at least 6 hours of sunlight.
- Soil:
- St. John's Wort adapts to various soil types but thrives in well-drained soil. Avoid soggy conditions.
- Amend the soil with compost for added nutrients.
- Sowing:
- For indoor starting, sow seeds lightly on the surface of a seed-starting mix. Do not bury them, as they need light to germinate.
- For direct sowing, lightly press seeds into the soil surface.
- Keep the soil consistently moist until germination.
- Germination:
- Germination typically occurs within 10-20 days.
3. Transplanting (if starting indoors):
- Timing:
- Once seedlings have developed several sets of true leaves and the risk of frost has passed, they can be transplanted outdoors.
- Spacing:
- Space plants 1-2 feet apart.
- Process:
- Carefully remove seedlings from their containers.
- Dig holes slightly larger than the root balls.
- Place seedlings in the holes and fill with soil.
- Water thoroughly.
4. Ongoing Care:
- Watering:
- Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a strong root system.
- Once established, St. John's Wort is relatively drought-tolerant.
- Mulching:
- Apply mulch around the plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Fertilizing:
- St. John's Wort generally doesn't require heavy fertilization. A light application of compost in the spring is sufficient.
- Pruning:
- Prune in late winter or early spring to encourage new growth.
- Remove dead or damaged branches as needed.
- Controlling spread:
- St. Johns wort can spread, so if this is a concern, consider growing it in containers, or pruning to help control the spread.
Important Considerations:
- Potential Toxicity: Be aware that St. John's Wort can be toxic to livestock and may cause photosensitivity in some animals.
- Invasive Potential: In some areas, St. John's Wort can be considered invasive. Check with your local extension office for any regional concerns.
- Harvesting: If you plan to harvest St. John's Wort for medicinal purposes, research proper harvesting and preparation techniques.
