Back in the Middle Ages, Lady’s Mantle—often called “Alchemist’s Herb” back then—became one of the go-to plants for natural healing. It’s a super hardy perennial that’s been used for ages to treat all sorts of ailments. If you’re looking to add this versatile plant to your home apothecary, here’s everything you need to know about harvesting it:
Where can you find Lady’s Mantle?
This member of the rose family is a staple in front yards, cottage gardens, and local parks. In the wild, you’ll find it growing just about anywhere it can find the right spot with rich, loamy soil. It’s pretty adaptable, too—you’ll spot it everywhere from warm lowlands all the way up to the breezy slopes of the Alps.
Lady’s Mantle especially loves cozy woodland edges, open meadows, lush pastures, or light thickets near fields. One thing to keep in mind: this plant is a fan of moisture, so it usually picks spots that stay damp or wet.
Which parts of the plant should you harvest?
The short answer? You can actually use the whole plant! However, if you’re planning to use it specifically for its medicinal properties, most people stick to harvesting the leaves.
That said, feel free to grab the flowers, stems, and roots while you’re at it—they’re all great for making a soothing herbal tea. This goes for all the common varieties, so whether you’ve got the mountain-dwelling “Alchemilla alpina” or the popular “Alchemilla mollis” (Garden Lady’s Mantle) in your yard, you’re good to go.
When is the best time to harvest?
Unlike many other herbs, Lady’s Mantle is best harvested right during its blooming season rather than after. It starts flowering in May and keeps those tiny yellow clusters going through August—sometimes even into September. If you’re after the roots, though, wait until the fall or the following spring to dig those up.
How do you harvest Lady’s Mantle?
Ready to head out to the garden? Just follow these simple steps:
- Grab a sharp pair of garden shears or a knife and make sure they’re clean and disinfected.
- Snip off the flowers and leaves along with their stems.
- Collect your cuttings in a basket.
- Be gentle! Make sure the plant parts aren’t squashed together so they can breathe and dry out properly.
Pro Tip: For the best results, wait to harvest your leaves and flowers until the morning dew has completely evaporated.
