Sweet Woodruff

Galium odoratum

Nature Hills Nursery

Fragrant Foliage Intensifies When Dried, Perfect for Potpourri and Maiwein
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 4-8
Grows 1-2 ft Tall, 1-3 ft Wide
Showy White Blooms From Early Spring to Late Spring
Top Pick for Mass Planting in Edible Gardens

$16⁹⁹

Shipping calculated at checkout.

In Stock

Enter your ZIP code to check shipping availability.

Find your Growing Zone

Plant Size

Quart Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: This woodland native thrives in partial to full shade. While it can handle dappled morning light, direct afternoon sun will scorch the delicate foliage and cause the plant to go dormant prematurely.
Soil: Aim for rich, well-drained soil that mimics the conditions of a forest floor. If you are working with heavy clay or sandy soil, amend it generously with compost or leaf mold to improve moisture retention and drainage.

Watering Requirements

Keep the soil consistently moist while your Sweet Woodruff establishes its shallow root system during the first season. Once established, it can handle short dry spells, but inconsistent watering during the heat of summer will cause the foliage to brown or force the plant into early dormancy.

Pruning Tips

Since this is a herbaceous groundcover, you generally only need to clean up dead foliage in late fall to keep the area tidy for winter. If the plants look a bit ragged after they finish blooming in late spring, you can mow them on a high setting to encourage a fresh flush of dense green growth for the rest of the season.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, all-purpose granular fertilizer in early spring just as new growth begins to emerge. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the season, as this encourages weak, leafy growth that is susceptible to winter damage and may reduce next year's bloom count.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Low Maintenance, Groundcover, Flowering, Fragrant, Deer-resistant, Wet Soils, Container Friendly
Hardiness Zone	4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Sunlight	Partial shade, Shade
Height	1-2 ft
Width	1-3 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Clay, Peaty, Sandy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Plant Life Cycle	Perennial
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	White
Foliage Color	Green
Fragrant	Yes
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Botanical Name	Galium odoratum
Species	odoratum
Class	Lamiales
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

The Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum) is an old-world perennial with delicate white, 4-petalled flowers that look wonderful with its dark green foliage! The sweet-smelling leaves are arranged in whorl around the square stem in evenly spaced intervals, with the starry flowers blooming at the top like stars over a green crown!

The dried leaves and flowers are said to have a grassy vanilla odor like fresh grass and can be used for potpourri and insect repellant in your home. In Germany, the flowers are used to flavor young Riesling, called Maiwein (May Wine).

Galium blooms from late spring to early summer throughout USDA planting zones 4 to 9, these are tender perennials that will completely die back to the ground in cold winters but will pop up in mass in the spring!

Landscape Application:

This little perennial grows in woods and on shaded hedge banks and meadow edges in the dappled shade and near a tree canopy. Flowers are set on tender stalks, with narrow, bright-green leaves, and spread by way of underground rhizomes to form polite mats of textured 6 - 12 inch tall carpets of greenery!

Fantastic edging and borders, fill in the sides of a path or walkway, or your driveway with these frilly perennials! Use Sweet Woodruff as a front-of-the-garden border perennial, in a naturalized area, or as a groundcover beneath shrubs and trees.

These shade-loving carpets will spread out to form a dense, lacy mat and choke out weeds, slow erosion on slopes, and make hard-to-mow hillsides shine! Hardy enough for Rock Gardens and airy enough for a pretty Cottage garden, even the Herb garden benefits from these perennials that are steeped in medicinal and culinary applications!

Delicate Small White Flowers
Loves Dappled & Partial Shade
Fragrant Foliage & Flowers - Stronger When Dried
Green Leaves Arranged In Whorls
Groundcover, Edging, Massing, Erosion & Weed-Blocking Carpets

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Galium requires full sun but will tolerate morning shade and moist, well-drained soil. Its deep-green foliage develops best in the half-shade, where the sunlight penetrates with difficulty. More shade is required in warm climates. Galium can spread very rapidly and must be planted in an area where it is able to take over or planted in dry soil with reduced moisture access. Clean the area up in the fall after the foliage dies back and top-dress with a layer of mulch or compost for the winter. Deer seldom bothers these aromatic plants!

Thrives In Part/Half Shade Sites
Well-Drained Soil
Moderate to Low Moisture Once Established
Remove Foliage In Fall
Deer Resistant

Sweet and petite, the Sweet Woodruff perennials are shade-loving ornamental groundcovers that should be included in your garden! Find yours at NatureHills.com!

Free shipping

On all orders over $199
Plant Sentry™

Compliant guaranteed
Easy returns

Hassle free returns policy
Live Chat

Talk to a real person

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Sweet Woodruff grow in full sun or does it need shade?

Sweet Woodruff thrives in dappled and partial shade rather than full sun. This woodland perennial naturally grows under tree canopies and on shaded hedge banks in zones 4-9. Plant it in areas with morning shade for best results.

How tall and wide does Sweet Woodruff get at maturity?

Sweet Woodruff grows 6-12 inches tall and spreads to form dense carpets through underground rhizomes. This low-growing perennial makes an excellent groundcover that naturally controls its spread. Plant multiples for faster coverage in shaded areas, available at naturehills.com.

Is Sweet Woodruff hardy in cold winters?

Sweet Woodruff is hardy in USDA zones 4-9, completely dying back to the ground in cold winters before emerging in mass each spring. These tender perennials reliably return through their underground rhizomes. Plan for winter dieback and expect vigorous spring growth.

What are the care requirements for Sweet Woodruff, like soil and water?

Sweet Woodruff thrives in moist, well-draining soil with dappled to partial shade in zones 4-9. This woodland perennial prefers consistent moisture but avoid waterlogged conditions. Plant in areas with morning shade or under tree canopies for best results.

Can Sweet Woodruff be grown in containers?

Sweet Woodruff grows well in containers as long as they're placed in partial to dappled shade. Choose a container at least 12 inches wide to accommodate its spreading habit and rhizomes. Keep soil consistently moist and expect it to reach 6-12 inches tall. Shop quality plants at naturehills.com.

Is Sweet Woodruff toxic to cats and dogs?

Sweet Woodruff is generally considered safe for pets, though large quantities of any plant material can cause digestive upset. This fragrant groundcover has been used historically in food and beverages like German Maiwein. Keep an eye on pets around any new plantings and consult your vet if concerned.

How should Sweet Woodruff be spaced when planting?

Plant Sweet Woodruff 12-18 inches apart to allow for natural spreading. This perennial forms dense 6-12 inch tall carpets through underground rhizomes, so closer spacing gives quicker coverage while wider spacing lets each plant develop fully before filling in.

Does Sweet Woodruff attract pests or diseases?

Sweet Woodruff is generally pest and disease resistant, making it a low-maintenance groundcover choice. Its fragrant foliage actually helps repel insects naturally. Plant in well-draining soil with dappled shade to prevent any moisture-related issues.

Sweet Woodruff

Galium odoratum