In the wild, sweet woodruff is usually found tucked away in damp, cool woodlands. But here’s the good news: you can totally grow this incredibly fragrant herb right in your own backyard! The secret to success lies in mimicking those forest conditions. If you get the location right, this little groundcover will thrive.
Keep it Shady
In nature, sweet woodruff loves hanging out in full to partial shade. When you’re planting it in your garden, try to find a spot that stays nice and cool—underneath leafy trees or large shrubs is perfect.
Whatever you do, avoid direct, harsh sunlight. Too much sun can actually scorch the leaves or kill the plant entirely. If you’re growing it in pots on a balcony or patio, make sure you provide some artificial shade or tuck it into a dark corner where the sun won’t hit it directly.
Stay Hydrated
The ideal soil for sweet woodruff is loose, rich, and consistently moist. It much prefers loamy or lime-rich soil over sandy patches. The most important thing to remember is that this plant hates to be thirsty! Dry soil is a big no-no for sweet woodruff.
If you’re growing it in containers, you’ll need to be extra diligent about watering. Never let the potting mix dry out completely. Interestingly, unlike many other herbs, sweet woodruff doesn’t mind a little “wet feet” (standing water) now and then.
Low-Maintenance Feeding
If you’ve planted your sweet woodruff directly in the ground, you really don’t need to worry about fertilizer. A simple trick is to spread some fallen leaves or a bit of compost over the patch in the fall. This mimics the forest floor and provides all the nutrients the roots need to get through the winter.
However, if you’re keeping yours in pots, a little boost of fertilizer during the growing season isn’t a bad idea, since container soil loses its nutrients much faster than the ground does.
The Perk of Potting
Not ready to commit to a permanent garden spot? Growing sweet woodruff in pots is a great alternative. The best part about container gardening is the flexibility—if your plant looks a little unhappy or is getting too much sun, you can easily pick it up and move it to a better spot.
Let it Spread
When sweet woodruff is happy, it’s not shy! If it loves its home, it will happily spread and multiply all on its own. To get a lush, fragrant carpet of green, you just need three things:
- A shady home
- Plenty of moisture
- A little bit of patience
