Motherwort – 100 Seeds

Motherwort (Leonurus cardiac) is a herb in the mint family.  Other common names include throw-wort, lion’s ear, and lion’s tail.

A spiky, clumping herb that can reach up to five feet tall, with dark green leaves and furry purple or pink flowers. Motherwort is often found growing wild, especially in wet areas such as floodplains and riverbanks, or along streams. In South Africa it grows as an annual plant. It is is best known as a herb that helps the heart and women’s disorders.

Motherwort Medicinal Benefits

It is primarily used as a tea or tincture for its potential medicinal properties.

• Motherwort is used for heart conditions, including heart failure, irregular heartbeat, fast heartbeat, and heart symptoms due to anxiety.
• It is also used for the absence of menstrual periods, intestinal gas (flatulence), and over-active thyroid (hyperthyroidism).

CAUTION: High quantities can cause nausea and taking motherwort may have an adverse interaction with other medications. Do not use motherwort during pregnancy.

Growing Motherwort

Indoor Sowing: Cold Stratification and then sow seeds in Late Spring.

Direct Sowing: Late Autumn.

• Cold stratify the seeds in the refrigerator for 10 days.
• Once the Motherwort seeds have been stratified, broadcast seeds in late spring and cover with a very thin 1/8-inch layer of soil.
• They should take about a week to sprout, and strong seedlings can be thinned to 2-3 feet apart.
• You can also choose to sow seeds directly in the garden in late autumn.
• Motherwort grows well in any type of light. You can plant it wherever you have room, whether your chosen location is in full sun or  in shade.
• It is also adaptable to most soil types, though moist, rich soil with a slightly alkaline pH of 7.7 is ideal.
• Water young plants every few days, until they are well established. Once established, it is hardy and drought tolerant
• To avoid unwanted spread, try growing it in containers or raised beds.