Red valerian is a weedy wildflower in the Medeterainian parts of Europe, growing on chalky cliffs and stone walls. It can take the form of a plant or shrub depending on conditions. In the US, plants growing in gardens have the tendency to naturalize. After blooming, seed heads will replace the blooms. These seed heads are similar in appearance to a dandelion and are dispersed by the wind. Deadheading is necessary to prevent the spread of this invasive specimen. The large flower clusters are showy and in shades of red to purple. In cool summer areas, the plant will repeat bloom throughout the summer into fall. In the US it can be found growing in the wild in states located along the western coast, midwest as well as Hawaii. It does not grow well in hot humid climates. This plant is listed as invasive in some counties and has high invasive potential. Please choose a native alternative. Its leaves and roots are both edible. The leaves can be eaten raw or lightly boiled. The roots can be used in preparing soups. Larvae of some Lepidoptera butterfly and moth use this plant as a food source. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious issues. Weedy. Has invasive tendencies. Aphids and mealy bugs may be bothersome. Continuously wet soil can lead to crown rot.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Sand
Soil pH
Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf value
Edible
Leaf size
3-6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The fleshy leaves form changes from the bottom of the plant to the top. The lower leaves attach to the stem via a petiolate (stalk), the upper leaves have no stalk, therefore sessile.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Pink; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Good Cut; Showy
Flower form
Panicle
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Individual flowers that grow in clusters are small with 5 fused petals. The clusters are sizeable and showy. Typically found in dark red or purple-red. Occasionally, pink, lavender and white varieties can be seen.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Protruding through the foliage, the stems stand 1.5-3' tall with clusters of flowers at the top. They are stout, shrubby at the base, hollow, and have a smooth texture.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Azores, S. Europe, NW. Africa
Distribution
AZ, CA, HI, OR, UT, WA
Wildlife value
Bees and butterflies are attracted, as well as other insects.