Watering, fertilizing, cutting and more

Is it necessary to fertilize St. John's wort?

A St. John's wort can easily cope without a regular supply of fertilizer. When you plant too much fertilize, this is at the expense of the active ingredients contained. Too much fertilizer reduces the active ingredient content of St. John's wort. It is sufficient to provide this plant with compost once a year in the spring.

When does St. John's wort need an additional water supply?

If this herb is well grown, most of the time it comes with the falling ones Rainfall rightly. It does not need to be additionally poured. But there is one exception: in the case of prolonged drought, it should be watered so as not to dry out! You are also welcome to use tap water for this. This plant tolerates lime.

Which diseases and pests can emerge and become a problem?

While St. John's wort is not susceptible to being eaten by pests (it can rarely be infested by aphids), it is sometimes plagued by diseases:

• Red wilt: a fungal disease; mostly from the second year
• Rust: a fungal disease, often in specimens that cover the ground

You can recognize red wilt by the fact that St. John's wort hangs its heads. The shoots also turn reddish to die off later. Rust manifests itself in small spots that appear on the leaves.

Is winter protection necessary?

Most types of St. John's wort are sufficient in this country hardy. Very few specimens need winter protection. In general, plants in rough locations should be protected with brushwood or leaves, for example.

How and when is the cut done?

For various reasons is a cut sensible. Here are a few pointers:

• cut back vigorously in autumn or spring (close to the ground)
• even after the Heyday cut back (prevent seed formation)
• to the harvest cut off the stems of the flowers and leaves (at flowering time)