St. John’s Wort is a hardy perennial herb valued for its bright golden-yellow flowers and long history of traditional herbal use. Blooming in early to mid-summer, the star-shaped flowers are carried above tidy blue-green foliage and are attractive to bees and other beneficial insects.
This adaptable plant is easy to grow and well suited to herb gardens, wildflower plantings, and naturalized areas. Once established, it is drought tolerant and very low maintenance.
Planting Instructions
Cold Stratification:
Mix seeds with lightly damp sand or vermiculite
Refrigerate for 2–4 weeks
Or sow outdoors in fall for natural stratification
Indoor Sowing:
Start seeds 6–8 weeks before last frost
Surface sow, do not cover seeds, as light is required for germination
Keep soil consistently moist
Germination: 14–21 days
Transplant outdoors after danger of frost has passed
Direct Sowing Outdoors:
Sow in fall or early spring
Press seeds gently into the soil surface
Keep moist until seedlings are established
Care Tips
Sun: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Well-drained, average soil; tolerates poor or rocky soils
Water: Low to moderate; drought tolerant once established
Spacing: 12–18 inches apart
Height: 12–24 inches
Maintenance: Very low; cut back after flowering to encourage bushier growth
Hardiness: Cold hardy perennial (Zones 3–8)
Note: St. John’s Wort can self-seed and spread in favourable conditions. Deadhead spent flowers if you wish to control reseeding.
A resilient, pollinator-friendly perennial, St. John’s Wort is a great choice for gardeners seeking a tough, sunny plant with cheerful summer colour.
