Skip to content

Sweet Woodruff

Galium Odoratum

Design with this plant

Overview

Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum) is a fragrant, herbaceous perennial, thriving in shady conditions. It showcases delicate, lance-shaped leaves and tiny, star-shaped white flowers in spring, reaching 8-12 inches tall. Ideal as a ground cover, this easy-to-grow plant prefers moist, well-drained soil and spreads to around 12-18 inches. The foliage exudes a fresh, hay-like scent when crushed, enhancing garden sensory appeal. Hardy in zones 4-8.

Sun Half, ShadeWater MediumZones 5–9
Sweet Woodruff (Galium Odoratum) — star-shaped white flowers in spring

Culture

Sun
Half, Shade
Water
Medium
USDA zones
5–9

Shape & size

Mature height
6–12 Inches
Mature width
10–20 Inches

Classification

Family
Rubiaceae

See full data, regional cultivation notes, full-resolution photos, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (87)

Sweet Woodruff (Galium Odoratum) — While resilient in the right conditions; making it an excellent ground cover option.<br><br>Characterized by its, image 77
Sweet Woodruff (Galium Odoratum) — especially when the foliage is crushed or dried; ground cover for half or shade, image 75
Sweet Woodruff (Galium Odoratum) — making it an excellent ground cover option.<br><br>Characterized by its whorled leaves and star-like, image 72
Sweet Woodruff (Galium Odoratum) — Sweet Woodruff fills the air with a fresh; its foliage remains attractive after flowering, image 74
Sweet Woodruff (Galium Odoratum) — It prefers rich, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH; the foliage exudes a fresh, hay-like, image 76
Sweet Woodruff (Galium Odoratum) — it requires consistent moisture; it is fast-growing and can form dense mats, effectively suppressing weeds, image 78
Sweet Woodruff (Galium Odoratum) — It is fast-growing and can form dense mats, effectively suppressing weeds; ground cover with white blooms, image 79
Sweet Woodruff (Galium Odoratum) — its foliage remains attractive after flowering; well-drained soil and spreads to around 12-18 inches, image 80
Sweet Woodruff (Galium Odoratum) — green carpet throughout the growing season; with a spread of about 12 to 18 inches, image 81
Sweet Woodruff (Galium Odoratum) — When designing with Galium odoratum; it requires consistent moisture, image 82
Sweet Woodruff (Galium Odoratum) — consider its spreading habit and sweet scent; white flowers in the garden, image 83
Sweet Woodruff (Galium Odoratum) — ground cover with white blooms; while resilient in the right conditions, image 86
Sweet Woodruff (Galium Odoratum) — ground cover for half or shade; integrating it where its growth can be appreciated without overwhelming, image 87
Sweet Woodruff (Galium Odoratum) — integrating it where its growth can be appreciated without overwhelming neighboring plants; this easy-to-grow, image 84
Sweet Woodruff (Galium Odoratum) — white flowers in the garden; sweet Woodruff typically reaches a modest height of 8 to 12 inches, image 85

Related plants