Elecampane

Elecampane: variety and characteristics

Elecampane (Inula helenium) is a perennial herb of the Daisy family (Asteraceae). Elecampane is a perennial herbaceous plant native to southern and central Europe, the Balkan Peninsula and central Asia.

This is a giant plant with beautiful yellow flowers. The traditional use of the herb is for bronchial infection, pneumonia and chronic cough. The plant is processed to obtain a blue dye.

Elecampane is also recommended for diarrhoea, ulcers, gastritis, painful menstruation, haemorrhoids, skin conditions, eczema, wounds, sores, skin itching, hives and intestinal parasites.

Elecampane is a tall medicinal herb with large yellow flowers; the root is used for coughs.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 82%
• Seeds per packet: 108–147 pcs (0.2 g)
• Seed origin: Poland
• Sowing: February – April; seedlings or direct
• Flowering: July – September
• Harvest: May – July
• Position: sun to partial shade

When to sow Elecampane

Elecampane seeds are sown in February – April. The plants flower from July to September. 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 Elecampane

• 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

The plant prefers partial shade and permanently moist soils, although it will tolerate full sun. Flowers from July to September. Sow the seeds directly in the garden in mid spring. Expect excellent germination after about 12 days. Once the second set of leaves appears, transplant the seedlings into the garden, even if you still expect a few frosts. Grows in sun or partial shade. Plant at 60 cm. apart.

Likes moist soil.

Harvest and use

The root is dug up in autumn of the second year.

Frequently asked questions

When should Elecampane be sown?

The recommended sowing months are February – April. Sowing method: seedlings or direct.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 108–147 seeds, pack size 0.2 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 82%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.