How to Grow a St. John's Wart Plant

St. John's wort has been used medicinally for thousands of years.

Cultivated since the time of the ancient Greeks, according to the Virginia Tech Department of Wood Science and Forest Products, St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is an upright, shrub-like perennial growing to a height of approximately 3 feet. It has been used medicinally as an anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and disinfectant agent. A tea brewed from the leaves was used by Native Americans to treat tuberculosis and other respiratory conditions. In modern times, it is widely known as a natural treatment for depression.

Things You'll Need

• Garden trowel
• Hand watering can
• 10-10-10 fertilizer
• Garden pruning clippers
• Mulch of hay or fallen autumn leaves

Instructions

1. Choose a site in full sun to plant St. John's wort. It will tolerate either moist or dry soil, although it will grow larger and more lush in moist soil. Ensure that the planting site is well-drained and water does not pool after a rain.

2. Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball. It is not necessary to improve the soil prior to planting St. John's wort.

3. Remove the plant from its nursery pot and insert the roots into the hole. Backfill with soil and gently firm it down with your hands so the plant stands up on its own. Create a saucer-like depression around the plant with the lowest point near the plant's base. This will prevent water from running off away from the root zone.

4. Water in the newly planted transplant with a watering can. Ensure that the soil stays evenly moist until it begins actively growing, which indicates it has recovered from transplanting. After that, supplemental irrigation is not necessary.

5. Cut off the dried top growth after it is killed by frost in autumn.

6. Mulch the roots with hay or fallen leaves, putting down a layer 2 to 6 inches deep, depending on the severity of your winter weather.

7. Remove the mulch in early spring, when average daytime temperatures climb above freezing.

Tips & Warnings

• Supplemental fertilizer is not needed, although St. John's wort will benefit from an application of a balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, in early spring, following the application rates recommended by the fertilizer manufacturer.

References

• Virginia Tech Department of Wood Science and Forest Products: Fact Sheet No. 18 – St. John's Wort
• University of California Botanic Garden: And Here is St. John's Wort