Yahuah's Farm
Wood Betony
Wood Betony
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🌿 Wood Betony (Stachys officinalis) — Organic Seeds
Common Names: Betony, Bishop’s Wort
🌱 Seed Quality Promise
All seeds sold by Yahuah’s Farm are 100% organic, non-GMO, and never chemically treated or coated.
We do not sell pelleted, dyed, chemically enhanced, or synthetic-treated seeds.
What you plant should be as pure as the medicine it becomes.
About Wood Betony
Wood Betony is one of the most historically respected medicinal herbs in European herbal tradition. Often called a “herb for the head,” it was once believed that no illness could withstand it. This perennial plant carries a long legacy as a strengthening, grounding, and restoring herb.
It forms tidy clumps of softly textured green leaves and sends up upright flower spikes topped with rosy-purple blossoms. Wood Betony is both medicinal and ornamental, making it a beautiful and purposeful addition to woodland gardens, herb beds, and cottage landscapes.
Wood Betony is a quiet powerhouse—gentle in appearance, deep in tradition.
Traditional & Herbal Uses
Wood Betony has been traditionally used as:
• A classic nervine herb
• A traditional head-supporting plant
• A grounding botanical
• A traditional digestive-supporting herb
• A gentle tonic
• A calming tea plant
• A foundational medieval herb
• A long-used household remedy
The leaves and flowering tops are the primary traditionally used parts.
Plant Characteristics
Botanical Name: Stachys officinalis
Life Cycle: Perennial
Growth Habit: Clumping, upright flower spikes
Mature Height: 12–24 inches
Mature Width: 12–18 inches
Flower Color: Purple to rose-pink
Bloom Time: Late spring to summer
Foliage: Soft green, lightly textured
Stem Type: Square
Attracts: Bees, butterflies, beneficial insects
Wood Betony blends seamlessly into medicinal and ornamental plantings.
Growing Wood Betony from Seed
Wood Betony grows well from seed with patience and consistent moisture.
How to Germinate Wood Betony Seeds
Cold Stratification Recommended
Seeds germinate best with cold exposure.
Refrigerator Method:
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Mix seeds with moist sand or soil.
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Refrigerate for 2–4 weeks.
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Surface sow or lightly cover.
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Keep soil evenly moist.
Germination Time
• 14–30 days
• Slow and steady
Ideal Growing Conditions
USDA Zones
Zones 4–9
Sun
• Partial shade preferred
• Tolerates full sun with adequate moisture
Soil
• Well-draining
• Loamy, rich soil preferred
• Moderate fertility
Water
• Moderate
• Likes consistent moisture
• Not drought tolerant when young
Spacing
• Space plants 12–18 inches apart
• Forms neat clumps
Growth Timeline
Weeks 3–5:
• Germination
Months 2–4:
• Leaf development
Year 1:
• Establishment
Year 2+:
• Flowering
• Full medicinal maturity
Harvesting
Leaves & Flowering Tops
Harvest during early flowering.
• Use fresh or dry
• Harvest on dry mornings
Dry in a shaded, well-ventilated area.
Seed Saving
Wood Betony reseeds lightly.
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Allow flower spikes to dry.
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Collect seed heads.
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Gently crumble.
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Store cool, dark, and dry.
Why Grow Wood Betony?
• Ancient medicinal herb
• Long-lived perennial
• Pollinator friendly
• Beautiful cottage-garden plant
• Traditional nervine
• Easy to grow
• Low maintenance
• Deep historical value
• Woodland-friendly
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