How to Grow Medicinal Plants

Medical herbs, relatively easy to grow, have a variety of applications. There are many herbs that fall into this category, and most require little care other than warmth, sunlight and water. Whether grown in a windowsill or in a backyard, it's important to research the care of each plant to best care for it.

Things You'll Need

• Plant cuttings or seeds
• Soil
• A trowel
• Water
• A window sill or backyard
• A pot or window sill planter
• A watering can or hose

Instructions

1. Research medical plants and herbs to find out which ones best suite your needs and will thrive in your environment. Some require more care than others, thus it's best to know how much daily upkeep is required for each plant. Locate a local source of seeds or clippings.

2. Select a window sill or spot in the back yard, as appropriate. Put potting soil in the receptacle or dig a fresh bed in a garden. Most herbs will require partial shade while others need full sunlight. It's important to know which herbs are being grown to adequately prepare.

3. 

   Appropriate the necessary seeds or cuttings and plant them. The addition of compost or commercial plant products may speed their growth and enhance their health and is especially important if transferring a plant to a new receptacle.

4. Water plants as appropriate and remove from sunny window sills daily if partial shade is required. In general herbs thrive on sunlight, small amounts of daily watering and moderate temperatures.

5. Harvest plants as appropriate. Be knowledgeable of blooming signs and don't remove parts of the plant that will prevent it from further growth or renewal. Cure or store herbs as necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Some plants continue their output all year round, while others are perennials, yielding medicine once a growth cycle, or biennials, blooming every other season. Note that annuals bloom once a season and then die. Compost and other plant foods speed growth and contribute to overall plant health. It's possible to overwater plants. Take care to know each plant's water requirement. It's possible to have too much sunlight. Take care to know each plant's shade preferences. Different soils are better for different plants. Again, additional research is key. Pull weeds by their roots to help keep a medical garden clean and clear.

• Some plants are toxic to children and animals. Be aware of plants toxicities and potential problems. Herbal treatments are not a substitute for medical care. If a condition does not abate or worsens, seek a medical professional immediately. When cooking with medical herbs it is important to be aware of others' allergies.

References

• How to Grow Medicinal Herbs
• Growing Herbs in the Home Garden