Betony

Betony: variety and characteristics

Betony (Betonica officinalis) is a perennial herb of the Mint family (Lamiaceae). Betony is a herbaceous perennial native to Europe and Asia. The plants form tufted foliage with ovate, glossy, dark green leaves.

Dense spikes of small pink-lavender flowers at the top of tall leafless flowering stems rise well above the foliage.

Betony is a popular ground cover or border plant.

As a herb it was once widely used in the treatment of a wide range of ailments, including external application on wounds and as a stimulant of the digestive system.

Betony is a perennial herb with purple spikes – a honey plant and ornamental.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 75%
• Seeds per packet: 102–138 pcs (0.2 g)
• Seed origin: China
• Sowing: March – May and September – November; transplants or direct
• Flowering: June – August
• Harvest: May – July
• Position: sun to partial shade

When to sow Betony

Betony seeds are sown in March – May and September – November. The plants flower in June – August. The crop is harvested from May to July. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Betony

• Sowing method: seedlings or direct
• Depth: 0.5 cm
• Spacing: 25–30 cm
• Germination: 10–20 days at 18–22 °C
• Position: sun to partial shade

Betony seeds can be started indoors in pots from September to October or from March to May, and when the seedlings reach 5-7 cm in height, they can be transplanted outdoors in spring. It grows best in moderately moist, well-drained soil and full sun or partial shade, tolerating poor soil conditions, including clay. Reaches a height of 30-60 cm. It grows well in various soil types – alluvial-meadow, brown forest, calcareous chernozem, etc. The plant is grown successfully in gardens and yards as well as in the field.

Undemanding; tolerates partial shade.

Harvest and use

The above-ground part is harvested at flowering.

Frequently asked questions

When should Betony be sown?

The recommended months for sowing are March – May and September – November. Sowing method: seedlings or direct.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 102–138 seeds, pack size 0.2 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 75%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.