Plant Profile
sweet woodruffGalium odoratum
Sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum) is a perennial herbaceous plant, primarily known for its sweet, vanilla-like aroma that develops upon wilting or drying of the leaves. Native to European deciduous forests, it is a popular groundcover for shady garden areas. Traditionally, it is used to flavor beverages like May punch (Maibowle), as well as for desserts and teas.
Quick profile
Key data
Suitable growing locations:
Good neighbors
HostaFerns
Avoid
No data
Indoor & direct sowing
sweet woodruff: Sowing and germination
Sweet woodruff is typically not pre-cultivated indoors but sown directly or propagated by division.
Sow in spring or autumn. Sweet woodruff is a cold germinator and requires a cold period for germination.
Planting & site
sweet woodruff: Planting and spacing
Planting of young plants or division of existing clumps in spring or autumn.
Site & practical notes
Sweet woodruff is a low-maintenance plant that works well as a groundcover. Ensure a shady to partial shade location with moist, humus-rich soil. Propagation is easiest by dividing rhizomes in spring or autumn. Harvest leaves before flowering for the best aroma. Use with caution in large quantities due to coumarin content.
Temperature & frost
sweet woodruff: Temperature and site
Water & nutrients
sweet woodruff: Water, nutrients and care
Container & growth
sweet woodruff: Container, support and growth
Year plan
sweet woodruff Calendar
Harvesting the aromatic leaves is ideally done before flowering in late spring.
Recurring tasks
Relevant now
June
- No additional single task
Next up
July
- No additional single task
Monthly tasks
Single tasks from monthly data; repeated seasonal windows are shown in the overview above.
January
Quiet month
February
Quiet month
March
No additional single task
April
No additional single task
May
No additional single task
June
Quiet month
August
Quiet month
September
No additional single task
October
No additional single task
November
Quiet month
December
Quiet month
Flowering & pollination
sweet woodruff Flowering & pollination
Flowering period
May to June
Flower type
Small, star-shaped flowers in loose cymes
Flower color
White
Self-fertility
partially self-fertile
Pollinator needed
yes
Overview
Sweet woodruff flowers are pollinated by various insects, mainly small bees and flies.
Notes
The small white flowers appear in clusters above the foliage and are rather inconspicuous.
Companion guide
sweet woodruff Companion guide
Good neighbors
HostaFerns
Avoid
No data
Use & storage
sweet woodruff Use & storage
Leaves are harvested before flowering when the coumarin content is highest.
Storage
Dried herbs
Storage life
Dried sweet woodruff retains its aroma in an airtight container in a dark, cool place for 6 to 12 months.
Flavor
Sweet, vanilla-like, hay-like, slightly bitter
Harvest
Leaves are harvested before flowering when the coumarin content is highest.
Culinary uses
Processing
After harvest
Tie harvested stems into small bundles and hang upside down in an airy, shady place to dry. Alternatively, spread them on a rack. After drying, strip the leaves from the stems.
Notes
Sweet woodruff should be used sparingly, especially in larger quantities, as it contains coumarin. For May punch, the slightly wilted stems are briefly steeped in wine.
Edibility & safety
sweet woodruff Edibility & safety
For people
In brief: which parts are edible, which parts remain risky, and whether raw consumption makes sense.
Safety notes
Sweet woodruff contains coumarin, which can be liver-damaging in high doses. Coumarin content is highest before flowering. Moderate consumption is safe, but excessive intake should be avoided. Pregnant women and individuals with liver conditions should be particularly cautious.
Animal safety
The evidence for this plant and animals is still limited. Check the detail rows before allowing access or feeding.
Each row shows which parts are more suitable and which parts are critical.
Companion animals
DogNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
CatNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
RabbitNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
Guinea pigNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
HamsterNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
BudgieNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
Farm animals
HorseNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
ChickenNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
DuckNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
GooseNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
SheepNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
GoatNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
CattleNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
PigNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
These guidelines are for general information only and do not replace veterinary diagnosis. If critical plant parts were ingested or the animal shows unusual behaviour or symptoms, seek veterinary advice.
Max risk
unknown
Highest status
not established
Urgency
unknown
Saving seed
sweet woodruff Saving seed
Seed viability
2 - 3 years
Notes
Sweet woodruff often self-seeds if conditions are right. Seeds require a cold period (cold germinator) for germination.
Practical tips
sweet woodruff Practical tips
Common beginner mistakes
Success pattern
High-impact tips
Grower observations
Plant Profile
Additional plant images
Health
Pests, Diseases
Plant health
Diagnosis help
sweet woodruff Diagnosis help
Prevention
Diagnosis
Most problems with sweet woodruff are due to unsuitable site conditions or care errors, not specific pests or diseases. Pay attention to the plant's needs regarding light, water, and soil.
Cultural prevention
Monitoring
First response
Diagnostic rules
Leaves turn yellow or brown
Possible causes: Too much direct sun, Insufficient water, Nutrient deficiency (less likely)
- Check sunlight exposure
- Check soil moisture
- Check soil quality
Plant wilts despite moist soil
Possible causes: Root rot
- Check for waterlogging
- Examine roots for mushiness
Poor growth / Stunted plants
Possible causes: Too much sun, Too dry soil, Poor soil quality, Competition from other plants
- Check site conditions (shade, moisture)
- Check soil for humus content
- Assess competition from other plants
FAQ
Where does sweet woodruff grow best?
Sweet woodruff prefers a shady to partial shade location with moist, humus-rich, and well-drained soil. Locations under trees or shrubs are ideal.
When and how should sweet woodruff be harvested?
Leaves should be harvested before flowering, ideally in April or early May. Cut the stems just above the ground. The aroma develops best when the harvested stems are slightly wilted.
Is sweet woodruff poisonous?
Sweet woodruff contains coumarin, which can be liver-damaging in high doses. However, in the usual quantities for culinary purposes (e.g., May punch), it is harmless. Excessive consumption should be avoided, especially by pregnant women or individuals with liver problems.
How do you propagate sweet woodruff?
The easiest method is by dividing the rhizomes in spring or autumn. Sweet woodruff can also be propagated by sowing in autumn, as it is a cold germinator.
Is sweet woodruff safe for Dog?
sweet woodruff is classified as not established for Dog. Risk: unknown. Urgency: unknown. No reliable species-specific assessment is available.
Is sweet woodruff safe for Cat?
sweet woodruff is classified as not established for Cat. Risk: unknown. Urgency: unknown. No reliable species-specific assessment is available.
Is sweet woodruff safe for Rabbit?
sweet woodruff is classified as not established for Rabbit. Risk: unknown. Urgency: unknown. No reliable species-specific assessment is available.
Is sweet woodruff safe for Guinea pig?
sweet woodruff is classified as not established for Guinea pig. Risk: unknown. Urgency: unknown. No reliable species-specific assessment is available.
Guides
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Internal links
Related plants
Madder family
Belongs to the Rubiaceae family.
Belongs to the same plant family (Rubiaceae).
Lemon balm
Both are used for flavoring drinks and desserts and have calming properties.
Spearmint
Both are aromatic herbs used in beverages and desserts.
Sources
Public sources
- Wikidata entity
Wikidata · 2026-05-15
- GBIF species match
GBIF · 2026-05-15
- Deutschsprachige Wikipedia: Waldmeister
Wikipedia · 2026-05-15
- English Wikipedia: Galium odoratum
Wikipedia · 2026-05-15