Sweet woodruff Galium odoratum
ABOUT
The common name of Galium odoratum is Sweet Woodruff. This perennial plant is characterized by its bright green, lance-shaped leaves that grow in whorls of six to eight along square stems. The foliage is delicate and has a fine texture, with each leaf being softly toothed along the edges. Sweet Woodruff produces small, white, star-shaped flowers in the spring, which exude a pleasant fragrance that intensifies when the flowers are dried. The blooms are clustered together at the ends of the stems, creating a charming, fluffy appearance. This scent has made the Sweet Woodruff a traditional choice for freshening up linens and homes. The plant has a spreading habit and often forms a dense carpet-like ground cover. The roots of Sweet Woodruff are shallow and fibrous, which allows it to spread and colonize an area effectively. Overall, its delicate leaves, fragrant white blooms, and tendency to form low mats of foliage make it a popular choice for shady garden spots and as a natural air freshener.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Rubiaceae.
Synonyms
Sweet Woodruff, Our Lady's Lace, Bedsweet, Mugwet, Hay Plant, Master Of The Woods, Wild Baby's Breath, Sweet-Scented Bedstraw, Waldmeister, Woodruff.
Common names
Asperula odorata, Galium triflorum, Galium trifidum, Galium hercynicum
ToxicityTo humans
Sweet woodruff is generally considered to be safe for humans to ingest in moderate amounts, such as those commonly used for culinary or medicinal purposes. However, when consumed in large quantities or over a long period of time, it could possibly lead to symptoms of toxicity due to the presence of coumarin, which in large doses can be converted to the anticoagulant dicoumarol. Symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, bleeding diathesis, or liver damage. In practice, poisoning from sweet woodruff is extremely rare, and it is widely used without issue in various foods and beverages.
To pets
Sweet woodruff is not commonly known to be toxic to pets, such as cats and dogs. However, as with any plant, it is possible that some pets may have an individual allergic reaction or gastrointestinal upset after ingesting the plant, particularly if they consume it in large amounts. Symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea may occur in those cases. If you suspect your pet has ingested a large quantity of sweet woodruff and is showing signs of illness, contacting a veterinarian is recommended.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
1-1.5 feet (30-45 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4-8
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Aromatic Qualities: Galium odoratum, commonly known as Sweet Woodruff, emits a pleasant, hay-like fragrance due to the presence of the compound coumarin, especially when dried.
- Culinary Uses: Sweet Woodruff is used to flavor drinks such as May wine, jellies, syrups, ice cream, and herbal teas.
- Garden Aesthetics: With its small white flowers and bright green foliage, Sweet Woodruff provides a visually appealing ground cover in shady garden areas.
- Pollinator Attraction: The flowers of Sweet Woodruff can attract beneficial insects to the garden, such as bees and butterflies, supporting pollination.
- Low Maintenance: Sweet Woodruff is a hardy plant that requires minimal care once established, making it a practical choice for gardeners seeking low-maintenance vegetation.
- Shade Tolerance: It thrives in shady conditions where other plants might struggle to grow, covering the ground with its dense foliage.
- Soil Improvement: As a living mulch, Sweet Woodruff can help retain soil moisture and reduce weed growth in the garden.
- Insect Deterrent: Historically, the dried plant has been used in linen closets to repel moths and other insects.
- Cultural Significance: Sweet Woodruff holds cultural importance in certain European traditions, often associated with May Day festivities.
Medical Properties- Sedative: Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum) has been used for its sedative properties, which may help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.
- Diuretic: It has diuretic effects, which means it can promote the increase of urine production, possibly supporting kidney function.
- Anti-inflammatory: Sweet Woodruff has been traditionally used to reduce inflammation, which can help in the treatment of various inflammatory conditions.
- Gastrointestinal relief: The plant has been used to alleviate digestive issues such as stomach cramps and indigestion.
- Antispasmodic: Its antispasmodic properties can help relieve muscle spasms and cramps.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Dyeing: Galium odoratum can be used to dye textiles. The roots can produce a red color, whereas the rest of the plant imparts a range of yellow shades.
- Filler in bouquets: The plant's small white flowers and pleasant scent make it a charming filler in fresh flower bouquets.
- Natural insect repellent: The scent of sweet woodruff is believed to deter certain insects, making it useful in closets or drawers to protect garments.
- Livestock bedding: Sweet woodruff can be used as a fragrant bedding material for livestock, particularly in small pet cages.
- Culinary garnish: The fresh or dried leaves can be used as an aromatic garnish on dishes, particularly desserts.
- Flavoring agent in drinks: Sweet woodruff is historically used to flavor May wine, a traditional German beverage consumed in spring.
- Aromatic potpourri: Dried sweet woodruff is often included in potpourri mixes due to its vanilla-like fragrance.
- Homemade sachets: The dried plant can be placed in small sachets to create natural air fresheners for drawers, closets, and cars.
- Natural furniture polish: When infused in vinegar or oil, sweet woodruff can be used to add shine and fragrance to wooden furniture.
- Moth deterrent in linen closets: The dried plant can be placed among linens to help repel moths and impart a fresh aroma to stored fabrics.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiSweet Woodruff is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilitySweet Woodruff is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Innocence: Galium odoratum, commonly known as Sweet Woodruff, has delicate white flowers, which often symbolize purity and innocence.
- Humility: The small size and unassuming appearance of Sweet Woodruff's flowers are often associated with modesty and humility.
- Protection: Historically, Sweet Woodruff was thought to ward off harmful spirits when used in potions or placed in homes, symbolizing spiritual protection.
- Prosperity: The vibrant green foliage that grows in lush carpets is sometimes linked to prosperity and abundance.
- Good Fortune: In some traditions, Sweet Woodruff is believed to bring good luck and fortune, especially when given as a gift.
WaterSweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum) prefers consistently moist, well-drained soil without being waterlogged. It is important to water it regularly during the growing season, which can mean providing approximately an inch of water per week, whether through rainfall or manual watering. During hot or dry weather, you may need to water Sweet Woodruff twice a week, ensuring that the soil doesn't dry out. In the winter, when the plant is dormant, reduce watering frequency. It's best to check the soil moisture by touch—water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
LightSweet Woodruff thrives in partial to full shade, making it an ideal plant for shaded or woodland gardens. It performs best in spots where it can receive dappled sunlight or only a few hours of morning sunlight, avoiding the intense afternoon sun. This preference for cooler, shaded areas makes it great for planting under trees or in north-facing gardens.
TemperatureSweet Woodruff is a hardy plant that can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. It can survive in temperatures as low as 5 °F and as high as 80 °F. Ideally, Sweet Woodruff grows best in cooler climates and might suffer if exposed to prolonged temperatures over 80 °F. This hardiness allows it to thrive in USDA zones 4 through 8 comfortably.
PruningPrune Sweet Woodruff to maintain its shape and encourage fuller growth. It's best to prune in early spring before new growth starts or right after the plant has finished flowering. Cutting back the plant by half can help manage its spreading habit and invigorate the plant. Sweet Woodruff can be pruned annually or as needed to remove any dead or yellowing leaves and to control its spread in the garden.
CleaningNot needed
SoilSweet Woodruff prefers moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter with a pH of 5.5 to 7. A mix of two parts garden soil, one part compost or leaf mold, and one part sand or perlite would create an ideal growing medium.
RepottingSweet Woodruff rarely requires repotting due to its growth habit as a ground cover; it can be left undisturbed for several years unless it outgrows its current space or the soil becomes depleted.
Humidity & MistingSweet Woodruff thrives in average humidity conditions typical of outdoor environments and does not require any special humidity adjustments when grown indoors.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Sweet Woodruff where it gets bright, indirect light.
Outdoor
Plant in partial to full shade, in moist, well-drained soil.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleSweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum) begins its life cycle as a seed, normally spread by the natural crumbling of the fruit when ripe or through animal vectors. Upon successful germination, which favors a cool, moist environment typically in the spring, it develops into a seedling with characteristic lance-shaped leaves. As it enters the vegetative stage, Sweet Woodruff forms a low-growing, herbaceous perennial groundcover, spreading through its creeping rhizomes and occasionally through self-seeding. It reaches maturity when it starts to bloom, usually in late spring to early summer, displaying small, white, fragrant flowers in terminal cymes. After pollination, typically by insects, the plant sets fruit which are small, bristly nutlets. The plant exhibits a die-back strategy, where the aerial parts of the plant die back to the ground each winter, with new growth emerging from the rhizomes each spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: Sweet Woodruff, known botanically as Galium odoratum, can be propagated by division, which is the most popular method due to its simplicity and effectiveness. The best time to propagate Sweet Woodruff through division is in the early spring or fall, when the plant is not in active growth. To propagate by division, gardeners should carefully dig up the plant and gently separate the root ball into smaller sections, ensuring that each section has a part of the root system and some shoots or leaves. These sections can then be replanted in the garden at the same depth they were previously growing, spaced about 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 centimeters) apart to allow room for growth. Regular watering is essential after transplanting until the new divisions have established themselves, at which point Sweet Woodruff will continue to spread and fill in the area with its fragrant, star-shaped foliage and delicate, white flowers.
