Sweet Woodruff

By Kim Willis These articles are copyrighted and may not be copied or used without the permission of the author.

Sweet woodruff, Galium odoratum,(alternate Asperula odorata)  is a widely planted herb or groundcover that is native to Europe.  It is also known as sweet scented bedstraw, or wild baby’s breath.  In Germany where use of the herb is prominent it is called Waldmeister or “master of the woods.” It has naturalized in a few places in the northern US and Canada in wooded areas.  Some native plant advocates will tell you it’s invasive; however its value as a groundcover for shade and it’s herbal uses make it well worth planting in the home garden.

Sweet woodruff is a lovely groundcover for shade or partial shade.  It is rarely bothered by deer or rabbits and will grow under black walnut trees as I can attest.  It looks good as an understory plant for larger shade plants such as Japanese Maple, large hosta, astilbe, heuchera and tiarella.  In my garden evening primrose grows up through it at the edge of the shaded area.

Sweet Woodruff is a perennial plant that is hardy in planting zones 4-8. The plant has small, blade shaped, dark green leaves that are arranged in whorls of 6-8 around a square stem.  It grows from 8-12 inches tall.  The plant spreads by runners and in good conditions will fill in an area quickly.

In early spring sweet woodruff is covered by small white 4 petal flowers carried in clusters at the top of the plant.  Its bloom time is generally May in northern areas and the plant is associated with May celebrations.  After blooming the flowers turn into small brown seed pods.  Each pod has a tiny hook that allows it to hitch a ride on fur or clothing to a new growing location.

The sweet smell associated with sweet woodruff is not very prominent in growing plants or flowers.  The smell does become apparent when plants are wilted or dried.  It is described as a vanilla or hay scent and most people find it appealing.  The smell is caused by the chemical coumarin, of blood thinner fame.

Getting sweet woodruff growing

Gardeners will generally find sweet woodruff for sale as small plants or “plugs”.  Sweet woodruff likes moist, humus rich soil.  Plant them in full or partial shade in early spring, setting them about 6-12 inches apart.  (This plant will not do well in full sun conditions.)  In good conditions they will quickly fill in and cover the ground.  In the first year it’s important to keep the new plants well-watered. 

After establishment sweet woodruff will tolerate moderately dry shade, but in very hot and dry conditions it may go dormant and die back to the ground.  It will begin new growth in cooler, wetter fall conditions.  However if you want your ground cover to look good all season you may want to water it when it’s hot and dry.  Sweet woodruff has no major pests or diseases. In sandy, nutrient poor soil it may need fertilization in early spring, but in most places it does not need fertilizer.

Mowing around the area where you want sweet woodruff contained is generally sufficient to confine it.  If you are worried about it spreading to wild areas keep a mowed strip between it and any wooded areas.  If you only want a small amount of the plant for herbal use you could grow it in a container sunk in the ground.

Uses of sweet woodruff

Sweet woodruff has many, many, herbal, culinary and other uses and has been used since the earliest times in Europe.  It is dried and used in mattresses, pillows and strewn on the floor to impart its sweet scent.  It is used in potpourri and incorporated into perfumes and scented soaps.

Culinary uses include May wine – sweet woodruff flowers and foliage are steeped in white wine with sliced oranges and strawberries and the mixture is drank at May celebrations.  Sweet woodruff is used in beer making (Berliner Weisse), and in jellies and jams.  It’s used to flavor ice cream and sherbets and is said to pair up very well with strawberry dishes.  The Swiss flavor chocolates and other candies with it.

There is an important caveat here about using sweet woodruff in foods.  Too much sweet woodruff can be toxic.  It can cause bleeding problems and liver damage.  The use of sweet woodruff has been banned in commercial foods in many countries for this reason.  If you decide to experiment with it in foods use it lightly and infrequently.

The herbal uses of the plant are numerous but once again caution is urged.  It is a mild sedative and can be added to tea for insomnia or for nervousness and hysteria. It’s a diuretic and the Coumadin in it thins the blood so it is often used for circulation and heart problems in herbal medicine.

Sweet woodruff is used for migraine treatment but it also causes severe headache if too much is taken.  It is used for nerve pain, to loosen chest congestion and help with stomach pain and cramps.  It is used directly on the skin as a poultice for skin diseases and as a salve to shrink hemorrhoids.

Caution:  Sweet woodruff should not be used if you are on blood thinner medications and it may interfere with other prescriptions.  You should always inform your doctor if you are taking sweet woodruff.  You should not use it if you are going to have surgery within 2 weeks.  Pregnant and nursing women should not use sweet woodruff.

Sweet woodruff should be used in food and as a medication in moderation and infrequently.  Over use can cause bleeding disorders, liver damage, fainting and severe headaches and could cause serious medical issues.