Valerian, Heirloom Herb Seeds

Valerian, Heirloom Herb Seeds — Tall Hardy Perennial With Sweetly Fragrant White and Pink Flower Clusters, Outstanding Pollinator Plant, Deer Resistant, Naturalizes Easily, Zones 3–11

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is a tall, elegant hardy perennial herb native to Europe and Eastern Asia, now naturalized across much of North America. Growing 3–5 feet tall with deeply divided dark green leaves and large, flat-topped clusters of tiny, sweetly fragrant white to pale pink flowers, Valerian is a striking and useful addition to cottage gardens, pollinator gardens, and traditional herb borders. The flowers bloom in early to midsummer and are among the most attractive to bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects in the herb garden. Deer-resistant, low-maintenance, and long-lived once established. A classic of the European herb garden tradition, grown for centuries for its ornamental beauty, fragrant blooms, and versatility. 200+ seeds per packet.

Why Grow Valerian?

• Spectacular pollinator magnet — bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects are strongly attracted to the fragrant blooms.
• Tall, dramatic cottage garden specimen — 3–5 feet tall with large flat-topped white and pink flower umbels; excellent at the back of borders
• Sweetly fragrant flowers — flower extracts were historically used as perfume in 16th-century Europe; a beautiful scent in the summer garden.
• Deer resistant — a reliable choice for gardens with deer pressure
• Hardy and long-lived perennial — very low maintenance once established; naturalizes in open areas and may self-sow
• Traditional herb garden staple — a centuries-old presence in European herb and physic gardens; roots harvested in fall of the second or third year
• Open-pollinated heirloom — save seed year after year; 200+ seeds per packet

In the Garden

Plant Valerian at the back of herb borders and cottage garden beds where its impressive height creates vertical structure. The large white flower heads pair beautifully with lavender, echinacea, and yarrow for a classic pollinator border. Cut stems for fresh or dried arrangements — the flower clusters dry well and retain their form. Allow plants to self-sow for naturalized drifts in open areas. The fragrant blooms attract cats as well as pollinators — cats are famously drawn to valerian root and foliage. Roots can be harvested in fall of the second or third year after planting.

Growing Notes

Surface sow seeds — do not cover; light is required for germination. Start 6–8 weeks before last frost or direct sow outdoors in spring or fall. Keep seed surface evenly moist until germination. Transplant to full sun or part shade in well-drained soil, spacing 18–24 inches apart. Water consistently until established — very low maintenance once roots are developed. Plants flower in the second year. Naturalizes readily; may self-sow in favorable conditions.

Packed and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC — heirloom seeds grown without GMOs, selected for beauty, resilience, and your garden's success.