VALERIAN
Other Common Names Include:
Garden valerian, garden heliotrope, cat’s valerian, setwell, St. George’s herb
Latin Name: Valeriana officinalis
Plant Family: Caprifoliaceae
Close Relatives: honeysuckle, haskap
Uses and Markets: Medicinal (e.g. insomnia, sedative, etc.), personal care products (essential oil), culinary (e.g. soups and broths), ornamental
Production Life Cycle in Ontario
Perennial.
Hardiness Zone
4
Special Notes
A layer of mulch applied in fall and spring will protect the roots from heaving in winter and will help the soil retain moisture and moderate temperatures in the summer. Remove flowers to promote more rhizome growth. Plant in sun to part shade. Seed is short-lived and is not usually viable beyond two years. Seeds need light to germinate.
Propagation method
Most commonly by transplanting root or runners or by division, also by transplants from seed. Growing in pots will affect root shape and may be best for initial establishment to be followed by transplanting runners. Direct seeding is a possibility, but seeds need to be kept near the soil surface to allow light to reach the seed. Moisture control during germination is very important to prevent the seeds from drying out before roots are established.
Greenhouse Seeding/Propagation Dates
March
Field Seeding Date:
May
Field Transplanting Dates
May for potted plants or in the fall for transplanting runners or division.
In-row spacing
40 cm
Between row spacing
40 cm
Optimal Soil temperature at planting
20-21°C
Fertility
No current Ontario fertility guidelines exist. Research and recommendations from outside Ontario do not necessarily apply to Ontario growing conditions. Research from Germany suggests an optimal N application rate of 100 kg/ha. Click here for phosphorus and potassium application guidelines and for more information on specialty crop fertility.
Soil type
Valerian is able to survive in many different soil types. However, valerian performs best in rich loam soil with a good supply of moisture.
Soil pH
wide range of pH can be tolerated
Special requirements for growth habit
N/A
Optimal Temperature Range
Ttemperate climate
Temperature sensitivity
Freeze tolerant
Irrigation requirements
Plants: Irrigation beneficial under normal Ontario conditions.
Days to harvest
Rhizomes should be harvested during the first year near the end of September. When harvesting for essential oils, the best time is during the spring of the second year. Roots should be harvested in the late summer or fall of the second year.
Specialized equipment
None
Harvest
Harvest Scheduling
Single harvest
Hand harvest or machine harvest
Machine harvest (modified potato digger)
Quality parameters/grades
No established grades, quality is determined by the market
Additional Harvest Notes
When harvesting the rhizomes, harvest during cooler parts of the day to avoid drying.
Post harvest
Special handling/curing
Roots should be dried at 40oC with good air flow, preferably in forced-air kilns.
Storage Conditions
Relative humidity (RH): Dried roots should be stored under dry conditions to prevent rehydration
Temperature: Store in cool conditions
Air Exchange: N/A
Duration: Dried roots can be stored for two or more years under ideal conditions
Specific pests observed on this crop in Ontario (observations based on limited experience with this crop)
Unknown – limited to no production of this crop in Ontario to date.
Other Potential Pests: The following pests have not been observed on this crop in Ontario. However, they are either significant concerns for closely related plants in Ontario, or are reported on this crop in other production areas. This is not a comprehensive list of all potential pests. Not all of these pests will necessarily survive Ontario’s climate, but could potentially survive in a protected environment (e.g. greenhouse, storage facility).
Insects and Invertebrates: Japanese beetles
Diseases: septoria leaf spot, ramularia leaf spot, downy mildew, powdery mildew, rust, sclerotinia white mould, root rots
Other: cats, rats
*Indicates pests commonly mentioned as causing significant damage or economic loss to this crop in other regions.
Comments
To date the following pests have been the most significant in Ontario: none. Valerian is very attractive to cats and rats. When plants are young, protection against cats and rats is recommended. This crop is not in a crop group. For more information on Crop Groups, refer to the Pest section. Always refer to product labels, and follow all directions specified on the label, before applying any pest control product. For more information, consult an OMAFRA specialist.
Valerian can self-seed and become weedy. Removal of flowers will prevent this issue.
- McKeown, A.W., C.J. Bakker and J. Schooley. 1998-2002. Herb Demonstration Garden, University of Guelph Simcoe Research Station, unpublished.
- Westerveld, S., Elford, E., Filotas, M. and J. Todd. 2010-present. OMAFRA herb demonstration garden. OMAFRA Simcoe Resource Centre, unpublished.
- Bomme, U. and A. Wurzinger. 1990. Results of Nmin soil analysis in medicinal plants and herbs. Gemüse (München) 26: 176-178.
- Booth, B. 2009. The complete illustrated book of herbs; growing, health and beauty, cooking, crafts. The Reader’s Digest Association, Pleasantville, NY.
- Bown, D. 1995. Encycolopedia of Herbs and their uses. The Royal Horticultural Society.
- Kowalchik, C. and W.H. Hylton. 1998. Rodale’s illustrated encyclopedia of Herbs. Rodale Press, Pensylvannia.
- Simon, J.E., A.F. Chadwick, and L.E. Craker. 1984. Herbs: An Indexed Bibliography. The Scientific Literature on Selected Herbs, and Aromatic and Medicinal Plants of the Temperate Zone. Hamden, Connecticut.
(http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/med-aro/factsheets/valerian.html) - Thomas, S.C. 2000. Medicinal plants. Culture, Utilization and Phytopharmacology. CRC Press, Pennsylvania.
- Tucker, A. and T. Debaggio. 2009. The encyclopedia of herbs – a comprehensive reference to herbs of flavor and fragrance. Timber Press, Portland OR.
