Common Valerian
Common Valerian is a heirloom herb variety (Valeriana officinalis). Harvest begins around day 500-550; seed germinates in 14–21 days. Set plants 18–24 inches apart. Grow in zones 4-7, full sun (6+ hours). Plants reach 3-5 feet.
Sowing
Start indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost and transplant after frost, or direct sow in spring once soil is workable
Cultivation
- Sun
- Full sun (6+ hours)
- Water
- Regular moisture during first season; drought-tolerant once established
- Soil
- Well-drained loam or poor soil; tolerates clay and gravelly conditions
- Spacing
- 18–24 inches
- Height
- 3-5 feet
- Season
- Perennial
Appearance & flavour
- Colour
- Tan to brown (dried roots)
- Shape
- Long taproot with fibrous lateral roots
- Flavour
- Earthy, bitter root with slight peppery undertones; aroma is strong and grounding
In the kitchen
Herbal tea, tinctures, sleep blends, anxiety support formulations, traditional nervous system tonics
Pests, disease & resistance
- Pests
- Rarely troubled; occasional spider mites in very dry conditions
- Diseases
- Fungal root rot in poorly drained soil; powdery mildew in humid, stagnant air
Planting calendar by USDA zone
| Zone | Start indoors | Transplant | Direct sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | April – May | June – July | — | July – October |
| 4 | March – April | June – July | — | July – October |
| 5 | March – April | May – June | — | June – October |
| 6 | March – April | May – June | — | June – November |
| 7 | February – March | April – June | — | June – November |
| 8 | February – March | April – May | — | May – December |
| 9 | January – February | March – April | — | April – December |
| 10 | January | February – April | — | April – December |
Companion planting
8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.
Avoid
Nutrition (per 100 g)
- Calories (per 100 g)
- 23
- Protein (g)
- 3.15
- Fat (g)
- 0.64
- Carbohydrate (g)
- 2.65
- Fibre (g)
- 1.6
- Sugars (g)
- 0.3
- Vitamin A (µg)
- 264
- Vitamin C (mg)
- 18
- Vitamin E (mg)
- 0.8
- Vitamin K (µg)
- 415
- Vitamin B6 (mg)
- 0.155
- Folate (µg)
- 68
- Calcium (mg)
- 177
- Iron (mg)
- 3.17
- Magnesium (mg)
- 64
- Phosphorus (mg)
- 56
- Potassium (mg)
- 295
- Zinc (mg)
- 0.81
- Selenium (µg)
- 0.3
Where to buy seed and equipment
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Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.
Grown Common Valerian?
Post a crop report — day counts, reservoir readings, what worked. Variety-specific logs are the most useful thing on the forum.
Similar varieties
Other herbs with a comparable time to harvest, so a season that suits Common Valerian suits these too.
- Arterner 400 days
- Angelica 365 days
- Apple Mint 120 days
- Sweet Annie 120 days
- Silver Thyme 120 days
- Stevia 100 days