St. John´s Wort [Hypericum perforatum]

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 it can now be found almost worldwide, especially on roadsides, dams and in open forests on dry and calcareous soils. The symbolic medicinal plant has a long history of use and was used for somatic and psychological treatments several hundred years ago. The striking red oil has a high proportion of the active ingredient hypericin, which is used for rheumatism, gout, tension, depression, lumbago and 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: Weak eater
Water requirements: Low
Winter hardiness: Up to -18 °C
Location: Sunny
Soil: Permeable, slightly dry, sandy, loamy

pH value: 7 to 8

Sowing and planting information
Germ type: Light germinator
Sowing depth: 0 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 20-24 °C
Germination time: 14-24 days
Plant and row spacing: 15x30 cm

Optimal mixed culture: -
Unfavorable mixed culture: -

Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Sow directly outdoors from February to July.

Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Sow directly in frost-free open ground from March to July.

General
Sow directly in rows or spread out.
St. John's wort prefers a sunny location with a permeable, slightly dry and sandy loam soil. Amend the soil with sand to increase permeability. Avoid waterlogging.

Additional tips
Plant only 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, we recommend additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock powder.

Type of propagation
It spreads via seeds.

Plant care
Watering causes faster growth.

Germination ability of seeds: 2-3 years

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