St. John´s Wort [Hypericum perforatum]

The perennial St. John's wort is a very versatile medicinal herb that is used for rheumatism, gout, tension, depression, lumbago and also for injuries. As a tea, it is mood-enhancing and calming. Ideal for direct sowing, no pot cultivation, sowing in spring, good for mixed cultivation, harvesting the flowers and leaves.

 Description 
St. John's wort is a very old perennial medicinal herb that has been used as a medicinal plant since ancient times and is highly valued. St. John's wort originally comes from Europe, North Africa and Central Asia, but can now be found almost worldwide, especially on roadsides, dams and in sparse forests on dry and calcareous soils. The symbolic medicinal plant has a long history of use and was already used several hundred years ago for physical and psychological treatments. The striking red oil has a high proportion of the active ingredient hypericin, which is used for rheumatism, gout, tension, depression, lumbago and also injuries. The herb has a mood-enhancing and calming effect and is often prepared as a tea. The traditional burning of the herb on St. John's Day is a symbol of the sun. A popular bee pasture for insects.

 General information 
Plant family: Hypericaceae
Life cycle: Perennial
Days to harvest: 110 days
Plant height approx.: 70 cm
Root type: Deep rooter
Nutrient requirements: Low
Water requirements: Low
Winter hardiness: Up to -18°C
Location: Sunny
Soil: Permeable, humus-rich sandy loam soil

pH value: 7 to 8

 Sowing and planting information 
Germination type: Light germinator
Sowing depth: 0 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 20-24 °C
Germination time: 10-24 days
Plant and row spacing: 15x30 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 2-3 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: -
Unfavorable mixed culture: -

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Direct sowing from February to May is recommended. The plants should ideally be planted in a sunny location.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Direct sowing from March to May is recommended. The plants should ideally be planted in a sunny location.

 General recommendations 
Direct sowing is recommended. After germination, thin out the plants to the specified plant spacing.
St. John's wort ideally prefers calcareous soils. It does not tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
Only plant in neutral or alkaline soils; if the soil is too acidic, St. John's wort absorbs toxic cadmium. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water storage capacity, it is recommended to also incorporate biochar and primary rock flour.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds.

 Plant care 
No care or fertilization necessary.

 Other names 
Botanical names: Hypericum perforatum
English names: St. John´s wort
German names: Johanniskraut, Walpurgiskraut, Sonnwendkraut, Herrgottsblut
Portuguese names: Erva de São João
Spanish names: Hierba de San Juan
French names: Herbe de la Saint Jean, Millepertuis

 Origin 
Country: Portugal