Rue - Herb of Grace [Ruta graveolens]

Rue is a perennial wild herb and medicinal plant that has been known since ancient times around 800 BC and originally comes from the Mediterranean region. A plant with an incomparably strong sweet-aromatic aroma. This particular spice is used in very small quantities. Rue was very popular in ancient Roman cuisine, but today the plant is a culinary rarity. In traditional medicine, this hardy plant is used as an abortifacient for women due to the thujone it contains. The scent of the woody perennial can have a deterrent effect on cats and in times of plague it helped keep rats away from the house. Bee pasture.

General information
Plant family: Rutaceae
Life cycle: Perennial
Days to harvest: 100 days
Plant height approx.: 70 cm
Root type: Deep rooter
Nutrient requirements: Weak eater
Water requirements: Low
Winter hardiness: Up to -23 °C
Location: Sunny
Soil: Permeable, loamy, humus

pH value: 6,5 to 7,5

Sowing and planting information
Germ type: Light germinator
Sowing depth: 0 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 18-22 °C
Germination time: 10-21 days
Plant and row spacing: 40x40 cm

Optimal mixed culture: Raspberry
Unfavorable mixed culture: Basil, Tarragon, Chamomile, Chervil, Lettuce, Lavender, Sage, Lemon balm, Zucchini
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
We recommend pre-cultivation in small pots from February to September.

Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
We recommend pre-cultivation in small pots from March to June.

General
When pre-cultivating, sow the seeds in small pots and let the seedlings grow to the first visible rue leaves. Then plant the pregrown plants from the pots directly into the open field. The seedlings are planted in the bed from the 2nd pair of leaves after the cotyledons.
Rue prefers a sunny and warm location with a permeable, rather dry, calcareous and humus-rich loamy soil. Prepare the soil with seasoned animal manure. Avoid waterlogging.

Additional tips
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 or cuttings.

Plant care
Beds prepared with animal manure and planting in mixed culture replace additional fertilizer.

Germination ability of seeds: 2-3 years

Other Names
Botanical names: Ruta graveolens
English names: Rue, Herb of Grace
German names: Raute, Weinraute, Edelraute, Gartenraute
Portuguese names: Arruda
Spanish names: Ruda
French names: Nerbe à la belle fille, Rue officinal