Valerian Planting Guide
Growing valerian in April
Month-by-month valerian fundamentals. Your frost dates change the timing, so pick your county for a tailored plan.
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How to water valerian
About an inch of water a week keeps valerian happy. Check your weather forecast before watering — skip if rain is coming.
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Where to put valerian
South-facing beds are ideal for valerian. Shade from nearby trees or fences costs real production.
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Check your local forecast before planting
Your zone determines the exact week to plant valerian. Pick your county below and we'll line everything up against your frost dates.
Valerian is a tall perennial herb with fragrant white or pink flower clusters, valued for its root which is used as a natural sleep aid. It attracts pollinators and earthworms.
Valeriana officinalis · Herb · Caprifoliaceae family · 120–180 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Valerian Planting Dates
Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.
Where Can You Grow Valerian?
Valerian Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Valerian planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3a | — | — | May 22 | Sep 25 |
| Zone 3b | — | — | May 17 | Sep 20 |
| Zone 4a | — | — | May 13 | Sep 16 – Oct 7 |
| Zone 4b | — | — | May 8 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Zone 5a | — | — | May 2 | Sep 5 – Oct 17 |
| Zone 5b | — | — | Apr 25 | Aug 29 – Oct 10 |
| Zone 6a | — | — | Apr 17 | Aug 21 – Oct 30 |
| Zone 6b | — | — | Apr 10 | Aug 14 – Oct 23 |
| Zone 7a | — | — | Apr 1 | Aug 5 – Nov 11 |
| Zone 7b | — | — | Mar 25 | Jul 29 – Nov 4 |
| Zone 8a | — | — | Mar 15 | Jul 19 – Oct 25 |
| Zone 8b | — | — | Mar 4 | Jul 8 – Oct 14 |
| Zone 9a | — | — | Feb 17 | Jun 23 – Sep 29 |
| Zone 9b | — | — | Feb 1 | Jun 7 – Sep 13 |
Why are some columns showing "—"?
Start Indoors shows "—" because Valerian is typically direct sown outdoors rather than started indoors. It germinates quickly and doesn't transplant well.
Direct Sow shows "—" because Valerian benefits from being started indoors first, then transplanted after the last frost.
How to Plant Valerian
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.
🧪 Soil pH
5.5 – 7
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 3a – 9b
📅 Days to Maturity
120–180 days
Long-season crop. Start indoors in cold climates to get a head start.
👪 Plant Family
Caprifoliaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Caprifoliaceae family crops grew last year.
How Much Valerian to Grow
Valerian takes 120–180 days to mature. In most zones you'll get one harvest per season, so plant enough to last.
Companion Planting for Valerian
✅ Good Companions
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Valerian
Start seeds indoors and transplant after last frost. Harvest roots in fall of the second year. Deadhead flowers unless you want self-seeding. Cats are attracted to valerian root.
Saving Valerian Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Breathable fabric pots that promote healthy root growth and prevent overwatering.
Built-in reservoir keeps herbs and greens consistently watered with less effort.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Seed Saving & Storage Guide
Most saved seeds go bad before next season. This shows exactly when to pick, how to dry, and where to store seeds from 200 plants so yours don't.
- 200 plants, step-by-step: life cycle, pollination type, isolation
- Exact temperature + humidity ranges that keep seeds viable
- Bonus: searchable Google Sheets tracker + custom GPT assistant
Valerian by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Valerian?
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) takes 120 to 180 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Valerian grow in?
Valerian can be grown in USDA zones 3a through 9b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Valerian need?
Growing Valerian requires Partial Shade (3-6 hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 5.5 to 7.