Valeriana officinalis aka Garden Heliotrope

Garden Heliotrope presents a moderate level of care, which allows plant enthusiasts with some experience to expand their skills and knowledge.

Garden Heliotrope should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Garden Heliotrope 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.

Garden Heliotrope thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Valerian.

During the wintertime, it's common for Garden Heliotrope to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more.

No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.

Once the Garden Heliotrope has doubled in size or after a year has passed, it should be moved to a new pot. By replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the vital nutrients, your plant will receive all the sustenance it needs, negating the requirement for fertilizer. It's important to remember that plants get their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

The Garden Heliotrope displays clumping growth habits, with new shoots arising from the soil close to the parent plant.

Garden Heliotrope’s native range is Europe, including Britain but excluding the extreme north and south, temperate Asia to Japan.