Elecampane Seeds for Planting – Inula helenium Medicinal Herb for Wellness Gardens, Pollinators & Natural Dye Projects

Bring a time-honored medicinal herb into your homestead or healing garden with Elecampane Seeds from Survival Garden Seeds. Also known as elf dock, elfwort, and horse heal, Inula helenium has been valued since ancient Greece for its aromatic roots, sunny blooms, and practical homestead uses. This hardy perennial offers herbal benefits, pollinator support, natural dye potential, and bold ornamental presence—all from a single, resilient plant.

Reliable, Hardy, and Rich in Tradition

Elecampane is a strong, deep-rooted perennial that grows 4–6 feet tall and 2–3 feet wide, making it a striking addition to cottage-style gardens, wellness plots, and pollinator habitats. Its large leaves and golden, daisy-like flowers attract bees and butterflies throughout summer, while the roots have been used for generations in teas and other herbal preparations. For homesteaders and natural crafters, the roots produce a soft blue dye and the flowers yield a bright yellow, adding creative value to the harvest.

Key characteristics include:

• Traditional medicinal herb with fragrant, aromatic roots
• Tall ornamental growth with bright yellow blooms
• Perennial in USDA Zones 3–9
• Pollinator-friendly flowers that support bees and butterflies
• Roots and flowers suitable for natural dye projects
• Strong performance in full sun and well-drained soil

Why Customers Love Elecampane Seeds

• Brings a classic herbal remedy plant into the home garden
• Offers dual-purpose value as both a medicinal and ornamental perennial
• Provides natural crafting options through root and flower dyes
• Attracts pollinators and enhances biodiversity
• Returns year after year once established
  

How to Grow

Elecampane germinates best with cold stratification.

• Place damp seeds in a paper towel, seal in a plastic bag, and refrigerate for about four weeks.
• Start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before the last frost at 65–70°F.
• Keep soil evenly moist and allow several weeks for germination.
• Transplant outdoors after seedlings are well established and frost danger has passed.
• Plant in full sun and well-drained soil, allowing space for mature size.
• Harvest roots in fall of the second year for traditional herbal use.

Harvest & Use

Elecampane roots are commonly used in teas, tinctures, and other herbal preparations. Flowers and roots also supply natural dye materials for homestead crafting. As with any member of the Asteraceae family, individuals with ragweed allergies should avoid use.

NET WT 150 MG