Growing Sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata)
Answered by: Inge Poot
Question from: Vera Ketter
Posted on: January 8, 2004

I’ve just moved from Toronto, Ontario to the country near Tamworth in Eastern Ontario, Canada. I brought with me some sweetgrass in a large pot to plant on the property where I now live, as a gift to my hosts. I’m not sure what the conditions are for growing this herb, except that it likes full sun. What kind of soil is good? How much watering does it need? Can it live in very damp conditions? When is the best time to transplant it in the spring? I think I’m in Zone 5 or 6.

Sweetgrass is hardy from zones 3 to 9, so it should not have any trouble with your winters or summers. It likes damp, but well-drained soil and full sun. It would love your very damp spot, as long as you can make sure to add lots of sharp sand if the soil is clay. You might even raise the planting spot a bit, so that the roots have access to constant moisture, but are not drowning in it.

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