Plantago asiatica Seeds | Asiatic Plantain

Categories：Herb

Asiatic Plantain seeds (Plantago asiatica)

LATIN NAME: Plantago asiatica

COMMON NAME: Asiatic Plantain

Plant Profile

Plantago asiatica, better known as Asiatic Plantain, is a perennial in the plantain family. Plantain holds its dense, cylindrical, green flower spikes above broad, ribbed leaves, and small, white flowers open along the spikes. It is a plant of open, sunny to lightly shaded, deep, moist, well-drained ground. For the small amount of care it requires, the return is remarkable.

Science & Biotechnology

Like other members of the plantain family, Plantago asiatica draws steady attention from botanists and plant breeders, who value the genus both as a subject of research and as a source of garden-worthy material. In the laboratory and trial ground alike, it serves as workable material for propagation research and line selection.

Uses & Benefits

Gardeners value Asiatic Plantain for its ornamental character, and the plant also fits naturally into herb, vegetable and cutting gardens. Plantain is a fine, steady plant of wayside and green verge. It is a fine, steady plant of open, sunny to lightly shaded, deep, moist, well-drained garden. Sow in early spring or autumn for rosettes, and spikes will rise in the first season. Given the right start, it carries on with minimal intervention.

Plantain is the world’s band-aid: crushed leaves are a universal folk poultice for bites and stings, and the seeds of its psyllium relatives are the world’s leading fiber supplement, officially recognized for cholesterol and digestive regularity.

Growing from Seed

Raising Asiatic Plantain from seed is straightforward. Sow thinly on the surface of a loose, well-drained seed compost, cover lightly, water in gently and keep the tray in a sunny spot with even moisture. Transplant the sturdiest seedlings to their permanent spots and let them develop without disturbance.

Our Take

Part of this plant’s appeal is the long practical history summarized above. Few garden plants carry such a documented history of use as this one does. Beginners will find it patient of imperfect technique.

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