
Valeriana officinalis
Caprfoliaceae
Valeriana officinalis, Valerian
Family: Caprfoliaceae
Genus: Valeriana
Clusters of small, sweetly scented white flowers that are often tinged with pink. Mid green leaves, deeply divided and toothed around the edges. In spring the new growth has an attractive bronze tinge. Cats think the root of this herb is elixir. Medicinal Herb.
• Hardiness: H4 (-5 to -10C)
• Type: Herbaceous Perennial
• Height: up to 1.2m
• Spread: 90cm
Valerian can be seen at the herb farm in Jekka's Herbetum and is available to buy as both herb plants and online as herb seeds.
• Soil type: Sand, Chalk Loam, Clay
• pH: Universal pH
• Habit: Upright
• Flowering colour: White
• Flowering time: Summer
• Uses: Medicinal (Read Jekka's Guide to Medicinal Herbs for more information)
• Attracts pollinators: No
• Container suitability: No
• UK native: Yes
• Caution: Do not self administer
• Indoor Sowing: In early spring, into prepared plug trays or pots, do NOT cover.
• Outdoor Sowing: In spring, into soil that retains moisture, in sun or partial shade. Do not cover the seeds. Thin to 60cm apart.
• Propagation: Division
• Maintenance: (Read Jekka's Blogs on Early Spring, Late Spring and Autumn maintenance)
• Harvest: N/A
A valuable herb which derives its name from the Latin word ‘valere’, meaning ‘to be well’. It has been traditionally used for sleeplessness especially when this is a result of worry or overwork. Valerian has a tranquilising effect on an overwrought nervous system making it a benefit in all cases of anxiety and tension with the additional benefit that it is non-addictive. Recognising the value of this herb, conventional medicine listed valerian as a sedative in many of its pharmacopoeias. Its anti-spasmodic properties also make it a help in easing intestinal cramp, period pain and rheumatic aches.

Caution: May cause drowsiness.
Please note: The information provided here is for educational interest only and is not intended to be used to diagnose or treat significant health problems. Any serious or long-term health concerns should always be discussed with a healthcare professional.
See our blog for more information about the National Institute of Medical Herbalists
For information on growing herbs from seeds please see Jekka's blogs on sowing seeds, sowing your winter culinary herbs or how to grow vegetables.
Jekka's "How to Grow Herbs" videos, includes Jekka's video on how to sow seeds for an informative step-by-step guide to seed sowing.
Growing indoors? Check out Jekka's blog on indoor herb gardening for some advice.
If you require pots or compost, see Jekka's Herb Kits that includes Jekka's Seed Sowing Kit. This kit contains all you need to sow a collection of herb seeds.
For more information on growing herbs plants please see Jekkapedia, Jekka's blog or our FAQs page.
Happy Herbs!
At Jekka’s we sell herbs in 1 Ltr and 2 Ltr pots. These are established and hardy herb plants that are grown following organic principals and to survive the UK climate. Please read Jekka's blog that contains her top steps to growing on your herbs.
There is also ‘Jekka’s Seasonal Tips’ series that covers growing and maintaining herbs in early spring, late spring, summer and autumn & winter. Together they form Jekka’s guide on how to grow herbs.
Our herbs are designed to be grown in containers or planted in the garden. Although some herbs will be quite happy indoors, most prefer being outside. Please see our indoor growing blog for more information.
If you require pots or compost, we have developed Jekka's Herb Kits, which includes Jekka's "Grow On" Kit. These kits contain all you need to grow on your herbs.
If you think your herbs need a little more attention we always recommend an environmentally friendly solution, and these are Jekka's top three:
- Maxicrop liquid seaweed: 'Feed on Fridays' as Jekka always says for all round good plant health.
- SB Invigorator: a safe and effective insecticide and fungicide to help control a wide range of pest species
- Epsom salts: the horticultural equivalent of what you put in your bath to top up magnesium and stop orange leaves.
For more information on growing herbs plants please see Jekkapedia, Jekka's blog or our FAQs page.
Happy Herbs!
One of our three core roots is that we are Environmentally Conscious and for the past 30 years all the herbs grown at Jekka’s have been raised following sustainable, environmentally friendly and organic approaches resulting in a remarkable biodiversity at the herb farm.
Our herb seeds are also untreated and can be used to grow organic herb plants.
You can read more about our sustainability approach to growing herbs in one of Jekka's Blogs or in Jekka's Guide to Climate Change.