Practical
Plants

Helichrysum stoechas

a perennial member of the Helichrysum genus in the family Compositae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.5 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The stem tops and the flowers are deobstruent and expectorant[6]. They have been used in the treatment of colds[6] but their use is now considered to be obsolete[5]. The flowers have been used as diaphoretics and discutients[6].

Product or use
Deobstruent
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Emollient
Product or use
Expectorant

Environment

Range
S. and W. Europe.
Habitat
Dry banks, rocks and sands.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, drought
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow February/March in a greenhouse. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 3 weeks at 20°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5cm with a heel, June/July in a frame. Roots in 4 weeks. Good percentage[7].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a light well-drained soil in a sunny sheltered position[1][3]. Intolerant of excessive moisture[1]. Established plants are drought resistant[2]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to about -10°c[3]. An aromatic plant with beautiful foliage, there are several named varieties, selected for their ornamental value[3]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[4].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512

    ↩

  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  5. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩

  6. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩

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