Sativa - Rue herb – Seeds

• Bee forage: Rue is an excellent source of nectar. It attracts a wide variety of pollinators, including honeybees and many of the over 500 native wild bee species, which find food easily in the open flowers.
• Undemanding & Hardy: Once established, rue is extremely low-maintenance and copes wonderfully with dry conditions.
• Important Note (Phototoxic): The plant contains substances which, when combined with sunlight, can cause skin irritation (similar to a sunburn) on contact. It is therefore advisable to wear gloves when pruning.

Cultivation & Location

Rue brings a Mediterranean flair to your garden and thrives in dry conditions:

• Location: Prefers full sun, warm and sheltered spots.
• Soil: Well-drained, slightly calcareous and dry soils are ideal.
• Fertilisation: Rue is extremely undemanding; additional fertilisation is generally unnecessary.
• Hardiness: The plant is frost-hardy, but in very harsh locations it benefits from light winter protection.

Key planting details

• Botanical name: Ruta graveolens
• Lifespan: Perennial
• Sowing depth: 0.5–1 cm
• Spacing within the row: 20 cm
• Spacing between rows: 40 cm
• Height: 40–70 cm

Uses in the kitchen and home medicine cabinet

• Kitchen herb: Due to its very intense, slightly bitter aroma, it should only be used in very small quantities (e.g. for grappa, herbal liqueurs or hearty meat dishes).
• Medicinal plant: Traditionally used to treat various ailments, it should, however, be used with caution and under expert guidance due to its potent constituents (particularly during pregnancy).
• Pest repellent: The strong scent of rue in the garden can help keep unwanted insects away from neighbouring plants.

Ecological contribution: Bee-friendly

This plant is labelled bee-friendly. At a time when natural food sources are becoming scarcer, rue offers a reliable source of food for pollinators. As it is attractive to both generalist and specialist insects, it actively promotes biodiversity in your garden.