Herb & Spice Companion

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HERB & SPICE COMPANION

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WOODRUFF

Galium odoratum

Other common name: sweet

woodruff

Flavors: sweet vanilla, fresh hay

Sweet woodruff grows naturally in shady forests, spreading close to the ground in

carpets of luscious foliage dotted with dainty white flowers. The bright-green leaves

form pinwheels around its stems, and clusters of flowers sprout from the very tops,

making this a gorgeous addition to otherwise dark spots in a garden.

Most often used for its sweet, hay-like fragrance, woodruff makes wonderful

potpourris and perfumes. It’s an important ingredient in the traditional German

Maiwein, also called Maibowle or “May

wine,” enjoyed during May Day festivi-

ties. But woodruff’s sweet-vanilla flavor

can be added to any sweet beverages as

well as marinades, dressings, and even

fruit desserts.

Use only one or two stems per serv-

ing, as the herb contains a chemical

called coumarin that’s believed to be

dangerous in large quantities.

In the Garden

Sweet woodruff, a perennial, spreads aggressively in the garden via runners under-

ground and self-seeding, so the plants will need some maintenance to create bound-

aries. It also grows well in containers, which will easily control its growth.

Size: Up to 8 inches tall

Container: Depends on preferred plant size

Light: Full shade to partial shade; leaves will burn in full sun, and plants will become

dormant.

HEALTH BENEFITS

Sweet woodruff makes a tasty,

relaxing tea. It’s often used to

cure sleeplessness, relieve anxiety

and symptoms of stress, and treat

constipation as well as other digestive

problems.

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