Rue is a spice and medicinal plant, which unfortunately is almost exclusively grown as an ornamental plant. It originally comes from the Mediterranean region. The plant is also called Gertrudenkraut, grace herb, cross rue or dead herb. The history of this plant is interesting. In the Middle Ages, the rue was used against the plague. It is thought that there was no protection against the plague. But the rue was an exception. Rats that transmit the plague could not stand the smell of rue and stayed away. So if you carried the plant or rue juice with you, you were quite well protected. However, the rue juice usually still contained sage, thyme, lavender, rosemary and garlic, which is why it is unclear whether the remedy was effective because of the rue smell or the germicidal effect of the other substances.
Table of Contents
history
Rue was used for eye ailments, as an abortifacient, as a sedative, and by monks to moderate their lust. Ruta stimulates the appetite and strengthens the nerves. But you can only eat very little of the plant. A lot helps a lot is not advisable here, then the medicinal plant becomes a poisonous plant. Be careful when picking. In sensitive people, skin contact can already lead to dermatitis. This is because the ruta is phototoxic. Contact and simultaneous exposure to the sun can cause irritation, which can lead to blistering. Consuming the herb often increases sensitivity to light.
The name rue is derived from the Latin ruta, which means “bitter-tasting herb” and graveolens can be translated as having a strong, often foul-smelling odor. Nothing on the plant is actually reminiscent of wine. In principle, almost everything from the rue can be used, herb, leaves and flowers. Eye baths and compresses strengthen the eyes, help with overexertion, poor eyesight and burning eyes. Tea or alcoholic extracts also strengthen the eyes. Since the dosage is difficult, however, rue is hardly used today.
Rue is also used in the perfume industry. Essential oils are often used. The plant is also used in the production of grappa and other alcoholic products. As a herb, rue goes well with lamb and game dishes, but you should not use too much, because the taste is quite intense. You have to be careful when heating. The longer rue is heated, the more the bitter taste intensifies. It is usually enough to let a sprig of the plant steep in the finished dish.
The ‘Jackmans Blue’ variety is very common on the market. It is grey-leaved, has bright yellow flowers, is very compact and grows to a height of 70 cm. Although this variety usually loses all its leaves in winter, it is much more hardy than others. Although this variety can also fail after the winter, this is much less common.
Rue care
The rue is easy to care for. Hardly any care is required in optimal locations. This is important and needs to be very sunny and warm, which is clear considering that the plant is native to the Mediterranean area. The plant substrate is also important. It must not be too wet and not too loamy. Dry, lean soil is better, but not too lean. You only have to water when it is really dry for a long time and you don’t really have to fertilize at all.
It doesn’t have to be pruned, but it’s better to grab a pair of scissors in the spring. Propagation by cuttings is easy and usually succeeds without any problems. Sowing is more difficult. It makes sense to cover the plant in winter. The green parts freeze back, the woody stick is quite well protected with brushwood, jute or fleece. Diseases and pests are extremely rare. You don’t have to worry about that. Rue also thrives well in planters, but the substrate must not be too acidic.
location
The main thing about the location is that it is warm and sunny. Rue cannot be sunny enough. The plant can do with some shade, but it’s not ideal. In general, the sunnier the location for Mediterranean plants, the better they thrive. Rue is no exception.
- Sunny to full sun
- Definitely warm
plant substrate
The rue needs a soil similar to that of Mediterranean plants and can easily be planted together with them. It must never be too wet. Drought is much better tolerated than wet. Lean soils are preferred, rich soils are rather unsuitable. Otherwise, the rue is quite frugal when it comes to the soil.
- Normal garden soil
- May also be lean, but not too lean.
- Well drained
- No waterlogging
- Fresh soil that does not dry out too much
- Gladly calcareous
- Also copes with rocky soils
- Make loamy soil more permeable by adding sand
plant
The best planting time is spring. When planting directly, there is not much to consider. The root ball should be watered and not planted too high. Otherwise plant, as with other plants. The planting distances are also important, because rue grows vigorously and takes up a lot of space.
- Plant in spring
- Soak the root ball in water before planting
- Dig a fairly large planting hole and loosen the soil well.
- When inserting into the planting hole, ensure that the top of the ball is slightly below normal ground level.
- Fill the planting hole with soil and press it down well
- Water well.
- Plant singly or in small tuffs
- Planting distance 30 to 50 cm
- 4 to 11 plants per square meter
- Rue grows quite wide, so leave enough space!
- Does not go well with basil, so do not plant too close together.
watering and fertilizing
When watering and fertilizing, the plant is very frugal. It needs a little more water to establish itself, but then it gets by with very little. If it is really dry for a long time, it should be watered, but otherwise you can save yourself that. When fertilizing it is no different. Here, too, the rue is frugal. Fertilizing is actually not necessary.
- Little water is needed
- In any case, avoid waterlogging
- Fertilizing is actually not necessary
- If you want, you can work some compost around the plant in the spring, which is usually sufficient.
To cut
A cut is not really important, but recommended. It is recommended not to prune in the fall. In the spring you can see which parts have frozen and where you should cut. If cut, then rather moderate. Don’t resort to drastic cutting measures.
- Cut back occasionally
- not every year
- Do not prune in the fall as the plant looks great in winter and the foliage protects the root area.
- Moderate pruning can be done in spring.
hibernate
The winter hardiness of the rue is usually very high. -23 to -28°C is, I think, too high. Rue usually survives mild winters without any problems. Otherwise, winter protection is recommended. Mounding up the root area and covering it with brushwood is beneficial. Garden fleece or jute also do a good job. However, failures can still occur from time to time. In any case, the rue usually freezes back completely. What remains is the wooden framework. The new growth takes place in early spring.
- Overwintering rue in pots should be bright and cool.
- Overwinter frost-free, pots freeze through quickly.
- Never overwinter near heaters!
multiply
Rue is best propagated by cuttings. This is easy to do and not difficult. Sowing is a bit more difficult, but certainly possible.
Sowing – a bit difficult
- Sow March/April in preculture
- Direct sowing outdoors from May
- Germination temperature above 20°C
- Cover seeds lightly
- Keep evenly moist, but never too wet
- Germination period 2 to 4 weeks
Cuttings in late summer
- Cut pieces that are not fully woody
- Quite soft cuttings are better
- Remove the bottom leaves
- Put the cuttings in the substrate – a mixture of nutrient-rich soil, sand and some peat
- It is good to add some rooting powder or stick the cuttings in
- If you want to be on the safe side, you can use agents such as Clonex, Wurzelfix or Rizopan AA. These stimulate the production of substances that promote the growth and rooting of plants. You don’t have to do this, but it’s interesting to try.
- Grow over the winter and plant outside after the ice saints
diseases and pests
Rue is a robust and healthy plant. Diseases are rare and mostly caused by too much moisture. Fungal diseases and root rot can be the result. Pests are also extremely rare.
Conclusion
Rue is often planted as a bed divider, as a low, flowering hedge. She is easy to care for. With the right location and a suitable plant substrate, it gets by almost without care. A cut in the spring benefits the plant, but even that is not necessary. All in all, the rue is a beautiful, if not too conspicuous flowering plant that requires little to no work, is inexpensive to buy and can also be used in many ways. However, I must warn again that the leaves should only be consumed in very limited quantities.
