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Valerian

Valeriana officinalis
Edible value3Medicinal value3Other uses5
perennial1.5×1.5 mzone 4–8light shade

Will it grow where I live?

Valerian is hardy to zone 4 – that covers all of Central Europe and the British Isles, and every USDA zone from 4 upwards.

Or check it for your location right here:

Winter hardiness by USDA zone, summer warmth by heat sum – the same values the app and the plant finder use.

Profile

Family
Caprifoliaceae
Habit
perennial
Height
1.5 m
Spread
1.5 m
Growth
medium
Lifespan
10 years
First yield
after 2 years
Hardiness
zone 4–8
Shade tolerance
light shade
Soil
Sand, Silt, Loam
Soil moisture
semi-dry – very moist
pH
5.5 – 7.5

Uses

Edible3 of 10
Medicinal3 of 10
Other uses5 of 10

Frequently asked questions

Valerian: how big does it get?

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) grows as a perennial and reaches roughly 1.5 m in height when mature, with a spread of about 1.5 m. Growth is medium.

Valerian: what site does it need?

Valerian tolerates light shade. Suitable soils are Sand, Silt, Loam. Soil moisture should be in the range semi-dry – very moist. The pH may lie between 5.5 and 7.5.

Valerian: is it hardy?

Valerian is listed as hardy in zone 4–8 and survives normal winters outdoors there.

Valerian: will it grow in Central Europe?

Valerian is hardy to zone 4 – that covers all of Central Europe and the British Isles, and every USDA zone from 4 upwards.

Valerian: is it poisonous?

No toxicity is recorded for Valerian. With wild plants, never rely on a database alone — only on a confident identification.

Valerian: what is it used for?

Rated on a scale up to 10: Edible 3/10, Medicinal 3/10, Other uses 5/10.

Community experience

No first-hand reports for this plant yet.

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