Rhodiola

For now, we are only able to offer a limited number of live plants, but we very much hope to be able to offer seed soon.

In rhodiola’s natural habitat it is common to find it in the most inhospitable of places, including north-facing cliffs that see very little sunshine. This type of environment is of course very hard to replicate, but it does suggest that it can tolerate the most extreme corners of your garden. We usually grow it in full sun and have found that it grows well in a wide variety of different soil types, so – in short – it is extremely adaptable!

That said, we have noticed that occasionally some of the flowers do not form properly, turning a blackish colour. We are experimenting to see whether this is a result of heat-stress and whether this can be prevented by growing in the shade. As always, we are continuously learning and always appreciate hearing from you with insights and observations from your own experience.

Once you have a few plants growing, you can collect the precious seeds after the seed pods have started to open. The seeds are tiny and very hard to clean if they are mixed with any chaff, so we recommend placing the seedpods upside down in a paper bag taking care not to crush them. Leave the seeds and pods to dry for a few weeks then carefully tap out all remaining seeds and store them in a cool, dark place until the following Spring. Scatter the seeds on the surface of a seed tray, tamp in and you should see germination with 2-3 weeks.

Renowned as an adaptogenic support for the nervous system enhancing our ability to tolerate and manage stress. The clinical studies on Rhodiola have focused on endurance, energy and cognitive function to treat chronic fatigue, depression and anxiety.

Despite containing some of the same compounds as roses it does not taste as floral; Rhodiola is one of the most astringent and drying of the herbal species and can benefit from being combined with demulcent herbs such as licorice.

Of the 20 or so Rhodiola species used in health traditions around the world, clinicians consider it important to use Rhodiola rosea as that is the species containing rosavins and salidrosides which are considered to be the primary phytonutrient markers – and are only present in the rosea species of Rhodiola.

Harvest the roots after 3-4 years. Clean and slice and dry before tincturing 1:5@60% alcohol and use 2.5-5ml a day.

Use 500mg-1g 1-2x/day per day as a powder.