Leonurus cardiaca Seeds | Motherwort
LATIN NAME: Leonurus cardiaca
COMMON NAME: Motherwort
Plant Profile
Leonurus cardiaca, better known as Motherwort, is a herb in the mint family. Motherwort is old herb of wayside, and whorls of small, pink-purple flowers sit along tall, square stems. It is a plant of open, sunny, well-drained ground. During flowering it gives bees and other insects a dependable food source. In combination, these characteristics make a persuasive case for growing it.
Science & Biotechnology
Seed science, comparative botany and horticultural selection all touch on Leonurus cardiaca, a representative of the mint family with clear practical value. Because it has been grown for so long, its garden habits are thoroughly documented.
Uses & Benefits
Motherwort works well in borders, containers and dedicated beds. Motherwort is a fine, historic plant of herb garden and the wayside. It has been written up in herbal and botanical papers for pink whorls and the very long history, and it is a fine, historic plant of the open, sunny, well-drained garden. Cut stems back after flowers and plants will send up fresh, dark leaves from the base. Thereafter it wants only the ordinary attentions any garden plant receives.
Motherwort, Yi Mu Cao, is a major Chinese and European women’s herb, traditionally used after childbirth and for menstrual comfort; its alkaloids, including leonurine, are studied for uterine and cardiovascular effects.
Growing from Seed
Sow fresh seed of Motherwort under ordinary good conditions. Sow on the surface of a gritty, well-drained mix, cover lightly with fine compost, and maintain gentle, even moisture in a sunny position. When the young plants are big enough to handle, space them into pots or a nursery row and let them size up before their final move.
Our Take
Motherwort repays a little patience at sowing time with plenty of garden presence later.
Related Reading
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