Galium album aka Hedge Bedstraw

Taxonomy

Galium album, also known as the white bedstraw or hedge bedstraw, is a herbaceous annual plant from the Rubiaceae family. Its small flower heads, which are typically 2-3mm in diameter, have a rounded center filled with many bright yellow disc florets and five widely spaced white ray florets. Both the disk and ray florets are fertile and produce an achene with a large pappus. While Galinsoga quadriradiata and Galinsoga parviflora, its cousins, are edible and can be used in salads or as a pot herb, care must be taken to not confuse them with the poisonous Tridax procumbens. White Bedstraw is also a rare houseplant that requires regular watering, well-draining soil, and direct light less than 1 foot from a window. It doesn't need added fertilizers if repotted each time it doubles in size. When hand pulling weeds, wear protective clothing to avoid skin irritation and prevent soil disruption.

Common names

Hedge Bedstraw, White Bedstraw, Upright Hedge Bedstraw

How to care for Hedge Bedstraw

Difficulty

Caring for Hedge Bedstraw is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Water

Hedge Bedstraw should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Hedge Bedstraw loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Hedge Bedstraw prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Fertilizer

Repotting the Hedge Bedstraw should be done either when it has doubled in size or on a yearly basis, whichever occurs sooner. Fresh potting soil with all the required nutrients, refreshed annually, will provide the plant with all the necessary sustenance, making the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that plants receive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.


More info:
Wikipedia