Wegerich

Plant family

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Moist

Soil

Light (sandy)

Nutrient requirement

Low

Plant distance

20 cm

Row spacing

25 cm

Seeding depth

0.1 cm

Instructions

Description

The deep-rooting ribwort plantain grows up to 40 centimetres tall. Its leaves form a basal rosette. The unspectacular flowers appear from April to September, initially forming spherical and later cylindrical spikes, from which the yellowish-white stamens hang conspicuously long. The flowers are scentless and nectarless and are adapted to wind pollination. Ribwort plantain was already held in high esteem in the medicine of classical antiquity and was prescribed by Greek and Roman physicians for a whole range of ailments. Plantain also features prominently in the medicinal literature of the Middle Ages. During the World Wars, salad made from wild-growing ribwort plantain was a popular substitute for lettuce. Medicinal properties: Ribwort plantain tea can be prepared to treat coughs and respiratory complaints, as ribwort plantain leaves loosen mucus and reduce inflammation. Dried leaves or the whole herb are used for this purpose. Pour 150ml of hot water over 3g of herb and strain after 10 minutes. The tea can also be used for inflammatory changes of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa. Due to their high vitamin C content and digestive-supporting effect, the fresh young leaves — which should be harvested before flowering — are also used as a vegetable or in wild herb salads. And after insect bites or minor injuries, ribwort plantain, rubbed and applied to the affected area, has a cooling and pain-relieving effect respectively.

Growing tips

The best time for sowing in the garden is spring, between the end of March and mid-April. They can be grown indoors all year round. As light germinators, you should only cover the seeds lightly with soil. Cover the growing container with cling film and make holes in it. This protects the soil from drying out. You should remove the foil for 2 hours every two to three days. This prevents mold from forming on the growing medium. Place the growing container in a bright and warm place with a temperature of 20 to 25° Celsius and keep the potting compost moist, but not wet. As a rule, the seedlings will appear after 10 to 14 days