Flower Specifications
- Season: Perennial
- USDA Zones: 3 - 9
- Height: 12 inches
- Bloom Season: Early summer to early fall
- Bloom Color: Green
- Environment: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil Type: Average soils, pH tolerant 6.6 - 9.0
Planting Directions
- Temperature: Sow at 68F, if no germ. in 3 - 4 weeks, move to 24 - 39F for 2 - 4 weeks
- Average Germ Time: 21 - 28 days
- Light Required: Yes
- Depth: 1/16 inch deep
- Sowing Rate: 3 seeds per plant
- Moisture: Keep seeds moist until germination
- Plant Spacing: 15 - 18 inches
- Care & Maintenance: See: Plantain
Common Plantain (Plantago Major Rosularis) - The flowers of Common Plantain are shaped like small green cabbage heads. Plants grow 12 inches tall when in full bloom when grown from herb seeds. The foliage is low growing and green. The name 'Rosularis' means "rose-like" referring to the look of the flower heads which are shaped like double roses. Common Plantain will self-seed readily by dropping its seeds and forming new Plantain herbs the following spring.
The leaves of this Plantago plant are edible and used in herbal medicine, but can be somewhat tough. The taste is that of very bitter salad greens with a lingering aftertaste not unlike spinach. Younger leaves are recommended as they are more tender. The leaves when dried can be made into a tisane. The sinews from the broadleaf plantain are very pliable and tough when fresh and/or wettened, and can be used to make small cords or braiding. When dry the sinews harden, but also become more brittle. Common Plantain has historical uses as a wound healer and snakebite remedy have been found to have scientific merit. It has also be used for many other medicinal purposes.
