St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a flowering plant that has been used for centuries as an herbal remedy to treat depression and anxiety. Though modern medicine relies on synthetic antidepressants, St John’s wort remains a popular natural alternative.
Growing this medicinal herb from seed is simple, inexpensive and rewarding. In this comprehensive guide we’ll cover everything you need to know to get your St John’s wort plants established, cared for, and ready for harvest.
Why Grow St John’s Wort?
There are many great reasons to grow St John’s wort yourself
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Medicinal uses – St John’s wort can be made into oils, tinctures, teas and more to support mental health. Growing it yourself ensures a fresh, high-quality supply.
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Easy to grow – St John’s wort thrives in a range of conditions, making it a great choice for beginners.
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Pest-resistant – Deer and other wildlife tend to leave St John’s wort alone thanks to its bitter taste.
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Beautiful flowers – St John’s wort has cheerful, bright yellow blooms in summer that attract pollinators to the garden.
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Saves money – Growing from seed costs just pennies compared to buying capsules or tinctures.
How to Grow St John’s Wort from Seed
Follow these simple steps for successful St John’s wort plants:
1. Choose the Right Time to Plant
St John’s wort is a hardy perennial that can be planted in spring or fall.
Spring planting is ideal in zones 3-8. Sow seeds outdoors 4-6 weeks before your last expected frost date.
In hot climates (zones 9-11), plant in fall for winter and early spring blooms.
2. Prepare the Soil
St John’s wort grows best in moist, well-draining soil. Amend clay or sandy soils with compost to improve texture.
Full sun to part shade is ideal. Provide at least 6 hours of sun per day.
3. Sow Seeds Outdoors
St John’s wort seeds need light to germinate. Simply scatter them over prepared soil, then lightly cover with 1⁄4 inch of soil or compost.
Space seeds 12-18 inches apart. This medicinal plant can spread aggressively otherwise.
Keep the soil moist until sprouts emerge in 10-20 days.
4. Care for Seedlings
Thin overcrowded sprouts to 12-18 inches apart. Transplant extras or discard.
Apply a thick mulch layer around plants to conserve moisture and discourage weeds.
Water seedlings during dry periods for the first year. Established plants are quite drought-tolerant.
5. Harvesting St John’s Wort
Don’t harvest the first year. Allow plants to establish deep roots.
The ideal time to harvest is when flowers reach peak bloom in summer. Cut stems just above leaf nodes.
Use pruning shears to harvest the top third of each plant. This stimulates bushy, compact growth.
Rinse flowers then dry upside down in small bundles. Store in glass jars out of sunlight.
6. Saving St John’s Wort Seeds
Let a few flowers remain on plants in your garden to collect seeds for the next season.
Seeds are ready when seed pods turn brown and dry completely. Break pods open to remove.
Spread seeds on a screen to finish drying. Store in an airtight container in a cool location.
Label with the plant name and year harvested. St John’s wort seeds remain viable for 2-3 years.
7. Potential Problems When Growing St John’s Wort
This hardy medicinal herb is not prone to many issues, but look out for:
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Rust – Orange fungal spores on leaves. Improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering.
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Root rot – If overwatered. Allow soil to dry between waterings.
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Invasive roots – Contain plants or choose sterile cultivars like ‘Ruby Glow’.
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Phototoxicity – Plant parts can cause skin irritation if touched when wet. Wear gloves to harvest.
##St John’s Wort Plant Uses and Benefits
Once established, St John’s wort provides an abundant, free supply of a useful medicinal herb.
Depression – Multiple studies confirm St John’s wort can effectively treat mild to moderate depression. It appears to work similarly to SSRIs by regulating mood-influencing hormones serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine.Always consult your doctor before using.
Anxiety – Some clinical research indicates reductions in symptoms for panic disorder, social anxiety and OCD.
Wound healing – Has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties that encourage healing. Made into salves and oils.
Menopause – May reduce incidence of hot flashes. Also used for PMS, menstrual cramps and breast pain.
Nerve pain – Apply topically to treat sciatica, back pain, arthritis, minor burns and skin irritation.
Insomnia – Taken as a tea or tincture, may help improve sleep quality.
So if you’re looking for an easy-to-grow, budget-friendly medicinal herb, St John’s wort is a great option. Follow this growing guide for an abundant supply of glowing yellow flowers and versatile natural remedies.
Growing St John’s wort from seed is a simple, inexpensive way to add this useful medicinal plant to your garden or herb plot. Give it full sun, high-quality soil, moderate water and ample space, and you’ll have a maintenance-free, long-lived plant that provides an ongoing supply of tea, tincture, oil and more. Harvest the anti-depressant flowers as they bloom, dry them for storage, and collect seeds each fall to sow for the next season. With proper care, St John’s wort will thrive in your garden for years of natural healing goodness.
St. John’s Wort Seed Germination Tips
- St. John’s wort seeds that are sown outdoors in the fall will overwinter and sprout in the spring.
- When seeds are started indoors, they will need cold stratification for 4-6 weeks to improve germination.
- St. John’s wort seeds require light for germination, so gently press seeds into the top of the growing medium.
- Seeds will germinate in 14 to 21 days when soil temperature is above 70ºF.
Transplanting St. John’s Wort Plants
Once the St. John’s wort seedlings are several inches tall with two sets of true leaves and all danger of frost is passed, they can be transplanted outdoors. Harden off the seedlings and transplant them into a spot with well-draining soil in full sun to partial shade, spacing plants 18”-24” apart.
Growing and Harvesting St Johns Wort
FAQ
Does St John’s wort come back every year?
John’s wort an annual or perennial? In the Hypericum genus, there are annual, perennial, and shrub species, but common St. John’s wort is a deciduous perennial shrub. That means the plant has both a bloom season and a hibernation season.
Is St. John’s Wort easy to grow?
It’s a shame the name is off-putting, because it’s a terrific plant that deserves to be better known. St. John’s wort is super easy to grow; you can almost plant it and forget about it. It offers two long seasons of interest, once when it’s in flower, and again when the fruits — the real reason to grow it — appear.
Does St. John’s Wort need cold stratification?
Planting. Seeds need a period of cold, moist conditions for optimal germination. Direct sow outdoors in early spring or stratify seed in a refrigerator for 3-4 weeks before sowing.
What cannot be mixed with St. John’s Wort?
Medicines which may interact with St John’s wort in this way include the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants (e.g. fluoxetine, paroxetine), other antidepressants affecting serotonin levels (e.g. nefazodone), and some migraine treatments (e.g. sumatriptan, naratriptan).