Valerian
Valeriana officinalis
Medicinal Plants Difficulty: Easy
📖 About this plant
Valerian is a tall perennial herb renowned for its powerful sedative root, used for centuries to treat insomnia, anxiety, and nervous restlessness. Its pungent root contains valerenic acid, which works by enhancing GABA activity in the brain to promote relaxation.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
☀️
Light
Partial shade to full sun (4-6 hrs)
💧
Water
Every 1-2 weeks
💨
Humidity
Moderate (50-65%)
🌡️
Temperature
10-25°C
🪴
Soil
Deep, moist, well-draining loam; rich in organic matter; pH 6.0-7.0
🧪
Fertilizer
Compost top-dressing in spring; balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during growing season
🌐 Common Names
HI
Hindi
वैलेरियन
BN
Bengali
ভ্যালেরিয়ান
MR
Marathi
व्हॅलेरियन
TE
Telugu
వాలెరియన్
TA
Tamil
வேலேரியன்
GU
Gujarati
વેલેરિયન
UR
Urdu
ویلیرین
KN
Kannada
ವ್ಯಾಲೇರಿಯನ್
OR
Odia
ଭାଲେରିଆନ୍
ML
Malayalam
വാലേറിയൻ
PA
Punjabi
ਵੈਲੇਰੀਅਨ
AS
Assamese
ভেলেৰিয়ান
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Europe, Northern Asia
- 📏 Max height
- 90-150 cm
- 📐 Spread
- 30-60 cm
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Summer
- 🎨 Bloom color
- White, Pink
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Green
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Perennial
- 📈 Growth rate
- Moderate
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Non-toxic; may enhance sedative effects of other medications; cats are strongly attracted to the root
- 🌱 Propagation
- Seed sowing in spring (requires light for germination); root division in spring or autumn
🛡️ Health & Safety
🐾 Pet safe
✅ Non-toxic
Non-toxic; may enhance sedative effects of other medications; cats are strongly attracted to the root
Common issues
- Powdery mildew
- Root rot from overwatering
- Aphids
- Aggressive self-seeding
💡 Care tips
- Roots are used to make natural sleep aids and sedatives
- Clusters of fragrant white flowers attract butterflies
- Grow in moist well-drained soil for the best root development
- Harvest roots in fall after the plant has died back
🪴 Add to My Plants
One click — added instantly. Watering every 11 days, fertilizing every 30 days.
