A striking red leaved variety of common plantain with deeply veined leaves, that makes an attractive ornamental plant for containers and borders. 9x9cm pot (8cm depth)
Description
A striking red leaved variety of common plantain with deeply veined leaves, that makes an attractive ornamental plant for containers and borders.
- Easy to grow
- Self-seeds
- Useful medicinal plant
- Attractive foliage
With a long history of folk medicine, plantain was one of the nine sacred herbs used in the Anglo-Saxon charm written in the eleventh or twelfth century in the Lacnunga – a collection of medical texts.
Plant care
- Height: 30-60cm
- Type: Hardy
- Aspect: Sun/shade
- Soil: Any/alkaline
- Flower colour: Brown
- Flowering period: June-September
Plantain grows wild in the UK, preferring rough ground that has been disturbed and like all plantain, this ruby leaved variety seeds itself well – it is easy to cut off the seed spikes if you don’t want it to spread. An attractive foliage herb for containers, plantain dies down each winter.
Usage
Plantain leaves contain mucilage compounds which help reduce inflammation and irritation in the lungs, easing and removing catarrh. Gargling an infusion of the leaves can help with sore throats.