← Back to Plant Explorer
herbPerennial
Valerian
Valeriana officinalis
Also known as: all-heal, garden heliotrope
Tall herb with fragrant white flower clusters and medicinal root. Attracts cats and beneficial insects. Root used as sleep aid.
Growing Requirements
SunFull Sun
WaterMedium
Soil Type
Soil DrainageModerate
Soil pH
Plant Spacing18–24″
Row Spacing24–36″
Planting Depth—
Height36–60″
Spread18–24″
✓ Container Friendly✓ Raised Bed Friendly
Planting Schedule
Start Indoors
6–8 weeks before last frost
Direct Sow (Spring)
0–9 weeks after last frost
Transplant Outdoors
1–9 weeks after last frost
Germination
14–21 days
Days to Harvest
365–545 days
Zone Suitability
USDA Hardiness Zones
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Zones 4–9
Can overwinter in appropriate zones
Perennial in zones 4–9
Surface sow — seeds need light. Harvest roots in fall of second year. Self-sows freely — deadhead to control spread.
Companion Plants
No companion data available for this plant yet.