St. John's Wort has beautiful, star-shaped bright yellow to golden yellow spotted flowers with green, stiff, sturdy stems and green leaves. This herb is mostly used in natural medicine for its antidepressant, wound-healing, anti-inflammatory and calming properties. This plant is native to all of Europe. It usually grows in poor, dry and warm places. The seeds of St. John's Wort are harmful to animals and humans and can cause skin irritation. Some people may be hypersensitive to this plant. Hypersensitivity to sunlight is particularly common, especially when St. John's Wort is used internally.
The flowers and the entire plant are also used to dye wool yellow, orange and lemon yellow. St. John's Wort is very popular with bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects. St. John's Wort flowrs from June till September. Semi-hardy perennial. Height: 20 - 100 cm.
Outdoor sowing: February - March or October - November
Germination: 7 - 21 days
Germination temp.: 15 - 20 °C
Sowing depth: shallow
Planting distance: 30 - 50 cm
Plant position: sunny with half shade
Flowering period: June - September
Harvesting period: June - October
St. John's Wort seeds need a cold period to germinate properly. When sowing in spring, place the seeds in the packet in the refrigerator or freezer for a few days. Allow the seeds to come to room temperature before sowing. Sow the seeds in a sunny spot with partial shade and dry, poor soil. Don't cover the seeds, but press them gently so that they make contact with the soil. This plant is a light germinator. Thin out the seedlings to 30 - 50 cm as soon as they are large enough to handle.
This plant is very popular with bees and butterflies. Some people may be hypersensitive to this plant. Hypersensitivity to sunlight is particularly common, especially when St. John's Wort is used internally. Cut the branches with the flowers when they are in full bloom (around 24 June) and let them dry upside down in a sunny, warm place with air circulation. If necessary, place the dried branches and flowers in sunflower or peanut oil to preserve them longer.
