Common St. John's Wort
Hypericum perforatum
Also known as St. John's Wort, Saint John's Wort, Perforate St. John's-wort
Climate Match for your location
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A hardy perennial with bright yellow five-petaled flowers and narrow leaves dotted with translucent glands. Extremely vigorous and drought-tolerant once established, making it excellent for naturalized areas, though it can be invasive in some regions.
Why grow it
St. John's Wort outperforms many ornamental perennials in poor, sandy, or compacted soils where other species struggle to establish. Its extended yellow bloom period and minimal input requirements make it useful for filling large naturalized areas or erosion-prone slopes without intensive management. Compared to cultivated groundcovers, it requires no fertilizer, supplemental water after establishment, or pest management in most climates.
Watch out for
The plant's aggressive self-seeding can make it difficult to contain within smaller garden spaces or mixed plantings. Foliage handling may cause phototoxic reactions in some individuals, particularly with prolonged sun exposure after contact. If used medicinally, St. John's Wort interacts significantly with numerous pharmaceuticals, including birth control and antidepressants, and should not be consumed without professional medical guidance.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Hypericaceae
Native Range
Mediterranean and temperate Europe
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A hardy perennial with bright yellow five-petaled flowers and narrow leaves dotted with translucent glands. Extremely vigorous and drought-tolerant once established, making it excellent for naturalized areas, though it can be invasive in some regions.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Common St. John's Wort grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
St. John's Wort outperforms many ornamental perennials in poor, sandy, or compacted soils where other species struggle to establish. Its extended yellow bloom period and minimal input requirements make it useful for filling large naturalized areas or erosion-prone slopes without intensive management. Compared to cultivated groundcovers, it requires no fertilizer, supplemental water after establishment, or pest management in most climates.
Watch out for
The plant's aggressive self-seeding can make it difficult to contain within smaller garden spaces or mixed plantings. Foliage handling may cause phototoxic reactions in some individuals, particularly with prolonged sun exposure after contact. If used medicinally, St. John's Wort interacts significantly with numerous pharmaceuticals, including birth control and antidepressants, and should not be consumed without professional medical guidance.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Hypericaceae
Native Range
Mediterranean and temperate Europe
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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