Valerian
Valeriana officinalis
Valerian is a tall perennial herb with frothy, sweet-scented flower heads, long used as a sleep and calming remedy. Its medicinal value lies in the strongly (and unpleasantly) scented dried root.
- Light
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Regular; prefers moist soil
- Difficulty
- Easy
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Overview
Valerian is a tall, clump-forming perennial in the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae), reaching up to 1.5 m (5 ft) in flower. It is best known as a traditional herbal sleep aid and mild sedative, with the dried roots used to make teas, tinctures and supplements.
The flowers are sweetly fragrant, but the dried roots have a famously strong, earthy, musty odor. Valerian root is also a powerful cat attractant, similar to catnip. (Note: the unrelated low-growing 'red valerian', Centranthus ruber, is a different garden plant.)
How to identify it
- Leaves: Deeply divided, fern-like, in opposite pairs, with toothed leaflets
- Flowers: Many tiny white to pale-pink blooms in rounded, frothy clusters atop tall stems; sweetly scented
- Habit: Tall, erect clump reaching 1-1.5 m when flowering
- Stems: Hollow, grooved and upright
- Roots: Short rhizome with fibrous roots that develop a strong, distinctive musty odor when dried
Care & growing
- Light: Full sun to partial shade
- Water: Regular; it prefers consistently moist soil and tolerates damp ground
- Soil: Rich, moist, well-drained soil
- Temperature: Very hardy, roughly zones 4-9; dies back in winter
- Feeding: Light; thrives in fertile soil without much help
- Propagation: From seed (sow fresh, as viability fades) or by division; roots are usually harvested in autumn of the second year
Habitat & origin
Valerian is native to Europe and temperate Asia, growing wild in damp meadows, woodland edges, riverbanks and ditches. It has naturalized in North America and other temperate regions.
It is cultivated in herb and ornamental gardens for its airy flowers and is grown commercially in parts of Europe (notably Eastern Europe) for the medicinal root trade.
Uses & benefits
Valerian's primary use is medicinal: the dried root is a long-established herbal remedy for insomnia, anxiety and restlessness, taken as tea, capsules or tincture. Its calming reputation gave it the old name 'all-heal'.
The tall, fragrant flower heads are also grown ornamentally and attract pollinators. The root is a notable cat attractant. Valerian is generally considered safe but can cause drowsiness, so it should not be combined with sedatives or alcohol.
Frequently asked questions
Is valerian effective for sleep?
Valerian root is a traditional sleep aid and mild sedative; many people find it helpful for falling asleep, though scientific results are mixed. It is usually taken as tea, tincture or capsules before bed.
Why does valerian root smell so bad?
Dried valerian root develops a strong, musty, earthy odor from compounds called valerenic and isovaleric acid. The fresh flowers, by contrast, smell sweet.
Does valerian attract cats?
Yes. Like catnip, valerian root strongly attracts many cats and can cause similar playful, excited behavior.
Is garden valerian the same as red valerian?
No. True medicinal valerian is Valeriana officinalis. 'Red valerian' (Centranthus ruber) is an unrelated ornamental with reddish flowers and no sedative use.
Valerian guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Valerian.
