How to Care for St. John's Wort Plants

St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) goes by many names, including goat weed, Klamath weed, amber touch-and-heal, Hypericum and shrubby St. John's Wort. This herbaceous perennial shrub is widely known for its numerous medicinal purposes. However, it is also often planted simply for the natural beauty provided by its bluish-green leaves and showy, vivid yellow blossoms, which are produced from June through September during the second season after planting. St. John's Wort grows best in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 3 to 8.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Mulch
• Pruners

Instructions

1. Plant St. John's Wort in locations that provide full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. St. John's Wort will grow in most soil types.

2. Space the plants 12 inches apart when planting in rows, or 18 inches away from other plants or objects for individual plants. St. John's Wort can reach 3 feet tall or more, so allow room for the plant's growth.

3. Cover the area surrounding each plant with a layer of mulch to retain moisture and deter weeds. Replace the mulch annually in the spring as needed.

4. Water the St. John's Wort plants weekly to provide an inch of water if rainfall does not occur. Continue this watering schedule from spring to fall each year.

5. Prune dead branches at the beginning of each spring. This encourages new branches, which will produce flowers in the summer.

References

• Global Healing Center: Tips for Growing St. John's Wort
• Grow Native: Plant Details-Hypericum Prolificum
• Plant Care: St. John's Wort

Resources

• Super Herbs: St. John's Wort