Description
Motherwort seed germinates best when it has been exposed to cold, moist conditions for at least a few weeks prior to sowing (a process known as stratification). We have had good results from mixing the seed with moist sand, sealing it in a bag and storing in a fridge for 1 month before sowing indoors in the spring. You can also sow the seed directly outdoors in the autumn. Either way, sow on the surface and gently press into the soil; do not cover as the seeds require some light for germination (which normally takes around 2-3 weeks).
If planting indoors, transplant into pots and grow on until they are around 6 inches tall before planting out. Provide a spacing of around 30cm between plants.
Motherwort prefers full sunshine but can also be grown in partial shade. It is a resilient plant that can tolerate heavy frosts, dry conditions and poor soils. That said, it does respond well to being grown in compost-enriched soils and will produce higher yields if watered during dry spells in the summer.
Once you have an established patch it will start to self-seed – not to the extent that it becomes invasive, but you probably won’t need to come back to us for more seeds in the future.
Motherwort seed germinates best when it has been exposed to cold, moist conditions for at least a few weeks prior to sowing (a process known as stratification). We have had good results from mixing the seed with moist sand, sealing it in a bag and storing in a fridge for 1 month before sowing indoors in the spring. You can also sow the seed directly outdoors in the autumn. Either way, sow on the surface and gently press into the soil; do not cover as the seeds require some light for germination (which normally takes around 2-3 weeks).
If planting indoors, transplant into pots and grow on until they are around 6 inches tall before planting out. Provide a spacing of around 30cm between plants.
Motherwort prefers full sunshine but can also be grown in partial shade. It is a resilient plant that can tolerate heavy frosts, dry conditions and poor soils. That said, it does respond well to being grown in compost-enriched soils and will produce higher yields if watered during dry spells in the summer.
Once you have an established patch it will start to self-seed – not to the extent that it becomes invasive, but you probably won’t need to come back to us for more seeds in the future.
Harvest motherwort just as she comes into flower. This has the dual benefit of gathering the aerial parts when they are at their best, and also prevents it self-seeding everywhere. Due to its strong flavour motherwort is best used as part of a blend in a tea or as a tincture. The immediate impact in taking motherwort tea is its bitterness which soon turns into an acrid pungency – so blend with fennel or chamomile or honey to balance this out.
Drink 1-2 tsp of the dried herb as an infusion each day.
To make a tincture 1:5@40% alcohol and take 1 tsp 3x/day.
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