Common Valerian

What does Common Valerian look like?

Common Valerian grows up to 1.5 meters tall, with upright, mostly unbranched stems and leaves divided into narrow leaflets with uneven edges. Its flowers are small, about 2.5 to 5 mm across, and form loose, branching clusters. The blooms are usually pale pink but can sometimes be white, and they have a sweet, noticeable scent. The plant’s roots are thick and aromatic, which is why they are often harvested.

Where does Common Valerian come from?

This plant is native to a wide area stretching from Iceland and Portugal in the west, across much of Europe, and into Iran and parts of southwestern Asia. It thrives in both wet and dry meadows, marshes, and woodlands, and can also be found on chalky grasslands. Over time, it has spread beyond its native range and is now considered invasive in some places, such as parts of North America. The name 'valerian' comes from Latin roots meaning strength or health.

When and how Common Valerian blooms

Valerian blooms in summer, typically from June to August. It grows best in moist or even marshy soils but can adapt to drier, stony ground. The plant is usually grown from seed or by dividing established roots. The roots are dug up and dried for use, as they contain the plant’s distinctive aromatic oils.

How Common Valerian is used

Valerian roots have a long history in traditional herbal medicine, especially for sleep and mild nervous tension. The dried root is used in extracts and supplements, and has been recognized by European health authorities for these uses. The plant’s scent also attracts cats, much like catnip. In the past, valerian was used in folk customs, such as being placed in wedding clothes in Sweden.

Kinds of Common Valerian

Several subspecies of Common Valerian are recognized, each adapted to different habitats. For example, subsp. officinalis is widespread, subsp. nemorensis grows in Italy and the Balkans, and subsp. tenuifolia is found in central and northern Europe. Some botanists also distinguish forms that prefer dry chalk soils or marshy ground.

What Common Valerian means

Valerian has been valued since ancient Greek and Roman times for its calming properties. It appears in old herbals and was used in medieval European customs and remedies. Today, it is still used in herbal medicine, though scientific studies on its effectiveness are mixed. Its roots are also known for attracting cats and even some wild animals.

Questions people ask about Common Valerian

Good reading and sources

• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
• USDA Plants DatabaseUS Department of Agriculture, Article
• IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesIUCN Red List, Article
• Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
• Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
• Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database

• Valerian (herb) on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data