Valerian Growing Guide
Growing Valerian is easier than you think. This guide walks you through everything you need — from planting your first seed to harvesting.
At a Glance
Difficulty
Easy
Category
Herb
Sun Exposure
Partial Shade
Frost Tolerance
Frost Hardy
Cold Hardiness
Survives to -34°C
Plant Family
Caprifoliaceae
Growing Season
Warm Season
Plant Lifecycle
Perennial
Also grows well as
How to Start It
★ Recommended for beginners
Surface-sow fresh seed indoors 6 weeks before last frost (it needs light and loses viability fast), then transplant. Thin to 45 cm.
Valerian is grown for its sedative root, harvested in autumn of its second year. The tall, frothy flower heads are loved by pollinators. It can self-seed freely, so deadhead if you want to contain it.
When To Start
First Chance to Plant
—
Last Chance to Plant
—
When should you plant Valerian?
Your planting dates depend on your local climate. Sign up and add your location to unlock personalized dates.
Your Valerian Planting Window
Start planting
May 15, 2026
Last chance
Sep 10, 2026
The Journey Ahead
Valerian's Lifecycle
Seedling
Mature Plant
Seed Production
Step 1
Prepare Your Space
0.3 cm
Seeding Depth
45 cm
Plant Spacing
60 cm
Row Spacing
1
Plants / Sq Ft
Vertical Growing
No.
Succession Planting
No.
Good Companions
Bad Companions
Step 2
Planting & Sprouting
Expect sprouts in 14–25 days
Growing Tips
- 1Valerian is happy in sun or part shade and likes moist, rich soil.
- 2Grow it for two seasons before harvesting the roots, and deadhead the flowers if you'd rather it didn't self-seed everywhere.
Seedling Phase
Step 3
Growth & Maturity
150 cm
Mature Height
60 cm
Mature Width
Pests to Watch For
Diseases to Watch For
Mature Plant
Step 4
Harvesting
When to Pick
Dig the roots in autumn of the second year
How to Harvest
- 1Lift the whole plant in autumn of its second year, cut away the crown, and wash the roots well.
- 2Dry them slowly for medicinal use.
Step 5
Saving Seeds
How to Save Seeds
Catch the fluffy seed heads as they ripen — the seed doesn't store long, so sow it fresh.
Seed Production
Ready to grow this?
Get started with Limitless Growth.
Save this guide, see exactly when to plant valerian where you grow, and start the 5-step course we wrote for first-time growers.
Get started →
